Newcrest Mining’s Brucejack gold mine in British Columbia, Canada is progressing in its efforts to convert its full underground truck fleet to battery-electric operation. The company has confirmed that its final Sandvik Z50 50-t payload battery-electric truck is due on site in March, completing the full eight-truck fleet at the mine.
The BEV truck project is expected to result in improved truck productivity, lower unit costs, and reduced emissions of approximately 65,000 tonnes of CO2 through to 2030. The project is partly funded by a C$7.95 million ($5.9 million) investment from the CleanBC Industry Fund.
Additionally, the company is set to commence a trial with a battery-electric LHD that arrived on site this month. It is a Sandvik LH518B (pictured), an 18-t payload machine that features a 600kW drivetrain to allow for higher acceleration than conventional loaders as well as fast ramp speeds.
It is the most compact 18-t loader on the market because of its space-efficient battery system and driveline, and can operate in a 4.5 x 4.5 m tunnel.
These mine decarbonization efforts are a part of a wider transformation program established by Newcrest for the Brucejack asset following the acquisition of former owner Pretium Resources in 2022.
Source: INTERNATIONAL MINING
Image of LH518B Battery Loader (Videograb): Sandvik