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Ampcontrol and Tritium to compete in worldwide mining decarbonisation challenge

Manufacturing News




Power and control systems manufacturer Ampcontrol and fast EV charger manufacturer Tritium will compete in the worldwide Charge On – Innovation Challenge for solutions to decarbonise mining operations.

BHP, Rio Tinto and Vale have collaborated as founding patrons of the open innovation challenge, facilitated by Austmine, and have announced the 21 companies across the globe shortlisted to compete.

The scope for this challenge is to uncover novel, tangible solutions to large-scale haul truck electrification systems, to assist the mining sector in lowering the consumption of diesel fuel and significantly lessening emissions from surface mine operations.

The Challenge asked vendors to present interoperable solutions that can safely deliver electricity to large battery-electric off-road haul trucks in a way that maintains or improves current productivity levels.

Specifically, innovations were sought that identified mechanisms capable of producing 400kWh of electricity to each truck within a haul cycle of load, travel, dump, return and queue.

The delivered electricity is to charge a battery, and if applicable, directly propel the truck.

Other competitors shortlisted include Hitachi Group, Shell Consortium, Siemens, Mitsui & Co. with Forsee Power and AVL.

Ampcontrol CEO Rod Henderson said: “Technological breakthroughs are vital to our decarbonisation journey as we work toward zero emissions.

“Collaborative partnerships with organisations such as Tritium are critical to our research and development as they bring together innovative thinkers to deliver safer, cleaner, electrically operated solutions to the mining industry.”

Tritium CTO James Kennedy said the company would apply its expertise in power electronics and high-power DC charging in harsh environments to develop a reliable technology solution to reduce emission in the sector.

The next phase of the Charge On Innovation Challenge is a pitch session followed by an in-depth look into the innovative solutions proposed

Picture: Ampcontrol/Rod Henderson and James Kennedy

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