Volvo Trucks and Boliden, a Swedish mining group, are teaming up to implement electric truck transport in underground environments. Starting in 2023, Boliden will become one of the first mining companies in the world to use battery-electric trucks for heavy underground transport. By using electric trucks, Boliden can reap several benefits, including a safer workplace, quieter working conditions, and zero exhaust emissions.
The mining industry is undergoing rapid change, and many companies are shifting towards more sustainable production methods to reduce their carbon footprint. Boliden aims to reduce its CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030, and the electrification of transport will play a crucial role in achieving this goal. The new partnership between Boliden and Volvo Trucks involves using two heavy electric trucks in Boliden's Kankberg mine, located outside Skellefteå in northern Sweden. If all trucks in the mine were to be electric, CO2 emissions could be reduced by more than 25%.
Volvo's FH Electric, the first truck to be used in the Kankberg mine, will transport rock bolts and other equipment down into the mine and will be put into service in 2023. Another Volvo FH Electric will later be put into operation and used for underground transport of rock and ore. Jessica Lindholm, project manager at Volvo Trucks, said the collaboration with Boliden will provide valuable knowledge about the performance of electric trucks when driven underground and reduce carbon dioxide emissions for mining transport.
Dennis Forslund, project manager at Boliden, said the trucks will contribute to a more sustainable mine, both in terms of emissions and the working environment for employees. The electric drive is more energy-efficient than a diesel engine, and it is possible to capture electricity regenerated during engine braking on downhill slopes. Currently, Volvo Trucks offers six electric truck models in series production, with a goal that 50% of new trucks sold by the company in 2030 will be electric.
Source: Volvo Group