Charge On Innovation Challenge: Global competition launched to electrify mine truck fleets
BHP, Rio Tinto, and Vale are the Founding Patrons of the Challenge, in partnership with Australia’s Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) industry body Austmine.
BHP, Rio Tinto, and Vale, three of the world’s biggest resource companies, have launched the Charge On Innovation Challenge, a global competition for technology innovators to develop new concepts for large-scale haul truck electrification systems to help significantly cut emissions from surface mine operations and unlock safety, productivity, and operational improvements.
Current stationary charging systems require substantial time to charge large trucks, which would result in significant lost productivity. The mining industry needs multi-megawatt scale fast charging concepts capable of delivering around 400kWh to charge (and propel) a truck within the truck’s haul cycle (load, travel, dump, return, queue).
“METS and mining companies are united on the Challenge to reduce emissions across the supply chain,” said Austmine CEO Christine Gibbs Stewart.
“With 80% of METS companies supplying products and services outside mining, the Challenge leverages the experience and innovation of industries in the automotive, battery makers, aerospace, defence and other sectors.”
The Charge On Innovation Challenge is a great example of the current collaborative work being done by the mining industry and mobile equipment manufacturers to decarbonise mining fleets. In addition to providing a zero-carbon energy source, the conversion of mobile mining equipment to battery electric can potentially unlock value, as electric motors have fewer moving parts when compared to standard equipment.
The Challenge Expression of Interest process will open on Tuesday, 18 May, and candidates who make the short list are expected to pitch their concepts later during this calendar year.
