IN LISBON: At the Electric Mine Conference, held in Lisbon, Portugal, the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) says its strategy aims to bring zero emission vehicles in surface mining at scale by 2030, as well as full adoption by 2040.
Amid the conference, ICMM innovation manager Tariq Kareemulla tells Mining.com.au, that electrification is expected to play a key role in supporting the mining industry to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the next two to five years.
However, he adds that electrification is not the only solution.
“Different mine sites will likely need different pathways, depending on their operating context, energy access, fleet profile, and economics,” Kareemulla says.
“What is clear is that electrification is moving from ambition to implementation, when we look at our leading members and partner OEMs.
“That means the industry’s focus is shifting from strategy alone to the practical solutions: how to deploy these systems safely, how to build the right charging and power infrastructure, how to secure reliable low emissions electricity, and how to develop the technical and operational capabilities needed on site.”
For ICMM, the council intends to focus on collaboration across members, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and other partners regarding the deployment of electrification.
Challenges in electrifying
Kareemulla explains that the biggest challenge when it comes to electrification is not only about the vehicles themselves.
“But the wider system needed to make electrification work in practice,” he says.
“That includes managing new safety risks linked to high-energy battery and DC systems, building charging and electrical infrastructure, securing reliable low-emissions power, developing the right maintenance and operational skills, and making the economics stack up at site-level.”
He notes that what is encouraging to see at the Electric Mine Conference is that exhibitors and industry partners are increasingly addressing these challenges together.
“We are seeing more practical progress on vehicle technology, charging solutions, site trials, and partnerships across the value chain,” Kareemulla adds.
“That matters because successful electrification will depend on integrated solutions that are safe, reliable, and commercially viable, not standalone technologies.”
For example, Jakob Mining Vehicles unveiled its TerraCharge vehicles on day one of the event – which is considered the first fully electric light utility 4×4 vehicle using zero emission drive systems and advanced recycling methods for vehicle components.
The vehicle is designed for harsh underground operations with a sturdy body that resists impact and corrosion, while also being optimised for long operating time and a comprehensive safety system that meets mining requirements, as reported by this news service.
Electric Mine
As previously reported, Kareemulla told Mining.com.au that the ICMM is excited to highlight real-world progress that makes electrification more practical for mines at the event.
“That includes battery electric and trolley-assist haulage solutions, which can reduce diesel use and emissions in some of the most energy-intensive parts of mining,” he explains to this news service.
“It also includes progress on high-power charging systems, which are important because they can help large electric mining vehicles charge quickly enough to support demanding operations.”
Diesel-powered mining vehicles account for 30-50% of direct emissions at a mine site, and up to 80% in some cases, as reported by the council.
The Electric Mine Conference, held between 5-7 May, brings together global mining executives at a critical point in the industry’s decarbonisation journey.
More than 750 delegates across 35 countries attend Electric Mine, which serves as an essential platform for all companies involved in the mine electrification transition to showcase future-proofed solutions that will enable companies to achieve their interim and final emissions targets by 2050.
Mining.com.au is in attendance and on the floor at this year’s event.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: ICMM
