While sustainability and the quest for zero emissions are impacting stakeholders at every stage in the mining supply and value chain, many operators are at a loss when it comes to tackling the issues.
But in its latest whitepaper, Targeting Zero Emissions in Mining: Technology and the Push for Greater Sustainability, WesTrac outlines some practical approaches and existing or emerging technologies designed to assist in the journey towards the ultimate goal of eliminating emissions altogether.
WesTrac Product Manager Rafael Price explains that while electrification is one of the key areas of focus, a major challenge with battery technology is finding a suitable balance of weight to power.
“The challenge is to come up with a power source that can keep a truck moving in an efficient and productive way,” Rafael says.
“A Cat® 793F haul truck would have about 2,650 horsepower available in its current configuration and that will move a fully loaded truck up a hill at around 14kmh for many hours without the need to refuel.
“When we go to a new energy source such as a battery technology, it’s about getting the energy density into that machine, so we can operate in an efficient way. It’s a matter of finding the most efficient and cost-effective battery energy system that’s going to store enough energy, be rechargeable in a timely manner and not add too much additional weight to the machine.”
Whether its electrification, hydrogen or some other form of power, fuel sources are just one of the technologies that have a role to play in improving sustainability and ultimately eliminating harmful emissions.
The whitepaper showcases the experiences of Newmont, which rolled out a fully autonomous haul fleet at Newmont Boddington in 2021, making it one of the world’s first mines to operate a fully autonomous haul fleet. And it is all thanks to the Cat MineStar™ Command system that drives the autonomous operations.
WesTrac Autonomous Haulage System Deployment Manager Brett Wilson, who was closely involved with the rollout, says that as miners look for more efficient and sustainable outcomes, they must also remain focused on optimum productivity and safety.
“General output from the trucks is up,” Brett explains. “Tonnes moved are up. When the trucks are in the run working, they’re working well.
“The trucks operate well in fog, sleet, rain, slippery environments. There have been no accidents, no issues, the trucks just work.
“Technology unlocks revolutions. We’ve seen it since the 1800s - bring technology, bring new ways of doing things and it just unlocks so much potential.
“Deep autonomy will play straight into decarbonisation, and ultimately greater overall sustainability.”
The key message of the whitepaper, as highlighted by WesTrac Cat MineStar Product Supervisor Laura Brennan, is that sustainability success is a sum of many small parts.
“Regular one per cent improvements here and there, over an entire system, equal massive gains over time,” Laura says.
The whitepaper can be accessed via the WesTrac website at www.westrac.com.au/resources/targeting-zero-emissions-in-mining.
Marissa Taddeo
marissa @ hellospoke [dot] com.au
0401 019 885
Emily Evans
emily @ hellospoke [dot] com.au
0401 337 959
As one of the largest authorised Cat equipment dealers in the world, WesTrac provides customers with a wide range of machinery and construction equipment as well as comprehensive whole-of-life management solutions designed to make owning and operating equipment as easy, profitable and safe as possible.
With more than 4,500 team members, WesTrac is dedicated to creating and delivering outstanding value for our team, customers, shareholders and the community. We are committed to excellence and are focused on long-term customer relationships and a dedication to customer service, safety, quality and the environment.
Community involvement is an important part of the WesTrac philosophy, and we are proud to support local activities, events and charities in the regions we are based.
As part of Seven Group Holdings Ltd, WesTrac also has strong alliances with other leading Australian businesses, including Seven West Media, Coates Hire and SITECH.
