Is Electric Mining Equipment the Future of the Industry?

[jack action]

It seems that electric mining equipment is all the craze right now:

• Liebherr electric excavator
• Caterpillar 240-ton electric haul truck
• Liebherr and Fortescue partner on world’s first autonomous electric haul truck
• EPCA plans to convert 50-70 mining trucks to electric power annually

Liebherr - Electric R 9200 E Mining Excavator:

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There are other interesting projects too:

Electric Trolley-Assist Haul Trucks:

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Using regenerative brake systems to eliminate charging all together:

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[Averagesupernova]

Coal mining has been heavily electric for many years. However, it's a big industry and I'm sure there's more room to electrify. Open pit mining is not electrified at all concerning mobile equipment in my corner of the world. Conveyors and anything stationary is electric.

 

[Baluncore]

I recommend you become a subscriber to Engineering with Rosie.
Rosie is an active consultant in the world of future energy. Rosie gets to the point, and can see right through the politics.

Those ore trains in Western Australia are now remote controlled from HQ in Perth. No sudden step change is required. The electric infinity train can be introduced progressively as new power units with storage are developed and become available to replace the "end of life" diesel locomotives being retired.