UG LOAD AND HAUL for better regenerative charging and reduced brake wear . It also has a higher bucket lift height to clear most truck beds up to 25 t .
GE conducted an in-depth study on the available technologies including hybrid and fuel cells that are or will be available in the near future and matched them against mining customer needs . “ Based on that research , GE has selected on our 7T LHD , battery-electric with exchange , as the system that best meets our customers ' needs and is flexible enough to adapt to their operation as their mining plans change .”
The company cites several advantages to using battery over diesel machines including safety , with diesel particulates underground a significant and serious health concern . “ Our goal is to eliminate underground diesel particulate . If we can eliminate diesel particulate , it takes a known carcinogen out of the air , making it safer for the workers . Underground diesel equipment has a high noise level , one of the major reasons for early onset of deafness among underground miners . Battery LHDs resolve a lot of these issues as they generate no diesel particulates and generate far less noise than diesel counterparts .”
GE also argues that underground ventilation systems account for the single largest underground mine expense ( up to 40 % of total running costs ) according to the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation . “ Most global underground mines have a typical ventilation rate of 100-125 cubic feet per minute for every installed horsepower , as largely mandated by legislature . Reducing the ventilation requirement provides mine operators with options of reducing ventilation power costs or using that same ventilation to mine more locations simultaneously . That increases their operational efficiency and maximises production objectives .”
The electric propulsion system has fewer moving parts than a diesel engine . It also does not burn fuel or require constant maintenance ( such as filter and engine oil changes ). “ The battery LHD increases the time between two service intervals and reduces the duration of
each interval , increasing valuable working time and machine availability .”
Electric motors are particularly good in certain applications versus internal combustion engines due to their torque curve as demonstrated on locomotives and surface haul trucks . This allows the battery LHD to load in shorter periods and get a better speed on grade vs diesel LHDs . This reduces overall cycle time and improves productivity .
Finally , reduced ventilation and cooling requirements saves mines from adding or upgrading their ventilation and cooling infrastructure , thanks to the elimination of diesel particulates . “ It also allows the mine to develop about 17 % smaller drifts since they do not need the large ventilation ducts . This can be the single biggest mine cost saving in the long run .”
On added infrastructure , Gaitonde told IM : “ Minimal infrastructure is required to locate one charger and two batteries . The GE battery exchange system does not require the use of cranes or any other infrastructure to change out batteries , allowing for charging and exchange of batteries closer to the workforce . GE ’ s quick battery change-out system allows for a battery to be changed in 15 minutes . Most mines already have the electrical infrastructure needed to support the charging of batteries , meaning no additional work would be needed to support the technology .”
GE has conducted extensive 7T LHD testing at its GE Fairchild facility in Glen Lyn , Virginia and has run the vehicle on two separate occasions at a local quarry to simulate shifts in the field . GE ' s
The DUX DT-Series line of dump trucks ranging from 7 to 50 t capacity now includes a smaller 5 t model designed and manufactured in response to customer demand .
Measuring only 1,425 mm wide with 1,930 mm tramming height , the DT-5N ( narrow version ) is powered with Deutz D914 L05 with 97.2 hp and features Rexroth hydrostatic transmission . Also equipped with Kessler D41 series axles with spring applied hydraulically released liquid force cooled multi-disc brakes on each wheel end , “ it is sure to provide trouble-free service . The DT-5N ' s extremely rugged design allows for five-year unlimited hour warranty on frames , which comes standard on all DUX trucks . DUX has long history of designing and manufacturing smaller-sized dump trucks and is looking forward to delivering the new DT-5N to a US customer within the next few months .”
first commercial units are currently on their way to be commissioned at mines in South America and Canada .
On performance against peers : “ GE 7T LHD has been benchmarked to perform against the best LHDs on the market although there has been no head-to-head trial . We incorporated additional improvements in our design to correct the deficiencies or unmet customer requirements in the currently available models .”
This is the first GE LHD to be launched for the underground hard rock market . Previously , all Fairchild products have been designed for the coal market . Currently , the 7T LHD is the only unit available for the UG hard rock market .
On larger machines and other options , GE says it is committed to the electrification of underground mines , “ with a plan to offer a host of products through our GE store to meet the needs of our underground hard rock mining customers ”, however , there are no further details . Equally , on the underground development collaboration with Komatsu , the company would only say : “ Komatsu is a valued GE customer and partner . We continue to successfully collaborate with them on various aspects of mining value chain and applications .”
Joy Global
Joy Global has LHD options in its range from 0.7 to 10 t and truck options ranging from 6.4 to 31.8 t . With the range still mainly based on acquired MTI models , Joy is working on upgrading and redesigning these machines with up to date components and technology , while retaining the
JUNE 2016 | International Mining