This working group is a global community that aims to accelerate the adoption of all-electric technologies in mining, address the challenges associated with them, and share information on how they can enable safer, more efficient, productive, and cost-effective mines.
OBJECTIVES
- Accelerate the advancement and adoption of electric mining technologies in underground and surface contexts by sharing data, best practices, models, and cross-learning.
- Enable a global community of practice that includes operators, suppliers, subject matter experts, and leaders from inside and outside the industry to drive valuable conversations, share lived examples, and find collaborative solutions to key challenges.
- Oversee projects that deliver high-quality information and guidance on electric mining technologies and designing electric mines
KEY TOPICS
- Potential risks and safety considerations associated with electric equipment such as fire safety
- Battery management
- Designing electric mines
- Equipment monitoring
- Analyzing electric equipment based on performance, cost, and requirements
- Emerging non-diesel technologies
WHY ELECTRIC MINES MATTER
The mining industry relies on fossil fuels, namely diesel, to drive business. However, they are expensive and limited resources and have been proven to pose health hazards. For example, diesel emissions are classified as ‘Group 1: carcinogenic to humans’ by the World Health Organization.
Electric mining technologies offer multiple advantages:
- A safer work environment
- Reduced energy costs
- Minimized environmental impacts
- Enhanced productivity, efficiency, and performance
While there are many benefits, there are also multiple challenges that come with them, including energy consumption modelling, operational and infrastructure adaptations, and change management.
NEWS
Industry needs and priorities for the Electric Mine Workshop
These workshops are being held to build on the various projects and activities already underway globally and identify collaboration requirements that the GMG working group should focus on. A lens of consideration is to determine if there are areas where both surface and underground should be working together. Workshops are scheduled for September 14th, October 18th, November 22nd, and December 13th. More information is available here.
Decarbonization Priorities Workshop
GMG is holding virtual workshops to discuss key priorities on decarbonization and further define a collaboration strategy for them. Workshops are scheduled for August 31st and September 28th. More information is available here.
June 23, 2022 | Publication of Recommended Practices for Battery Electric Vehicles in Underground Mining – Version 3
Recommended Practices for Battery Electric Vehicles in Underground Mining – Version 3 is now published. This guideline provides guidance and an overall discussion about the benefits, drawbacks, and planning requirements for designing and implementing a BEV fleet within an existing or new mine. Key features of version 3 include new and expanded content on safety, risk, and emergency response, more on maintenance, and new sections on automated connection interfaces. Thank you to all volunteers who contributed to this guideline. Visit the guideline page.
ACTIVE PROJECTS
Battery Electric Vehicles in Underground Mining v3
This guideline has been published! Stay tuned for news about the Spanish translation. Read it here
Electric Mine Operational Knowledge Sharing Platform
This project aims to enable a neutral platform for the industry to monitor, track, and record electric equipment utilization. Additionally, it will provide best practices, lessons learned, and root causes. Learn more
Electric Mobile Equipment KPIs and Definitions
This project aims to develop common key performance indicators to help enable mine operators to identify equipment performance and benchmark against other mine operations with the goal of improved electric equipment performance. It is currently in content generation. Learn more
GMG PUBLICATIONS
2020 June | Electric Mine Operational Knowledge Sharing Platform Summary of Survey Results and Workshop OutcomesA survey that was open between April and June 2020 with 95 respondents (as of June 9) and workshops held on May 7 and May 20 aimed to define priorities for the GMG Electric Mine Operational Knowledge Sharing Platform project. This project aims to create a neutral platform to capture performance data for electric surface and underground equipment based on the industry’s knowledge and experience. Click here to read.
2022 June | Recommended Best Practices for Battery Electric Vehicles in Underground Mining– 3rd Edition (see also: Underground Mining Working Group)
Provides guidance and overall discussion about the benefits, drawbacks, and planning needed to design and implement a BEV fleet within an existing or new mine. Click here to access guideline
KNOWLEDGE SHARING PRESENTATIONS
Lithium battery thermal runaway pressure in sealed enclosures (Video)
Thomas Dubaniewicz, general engineer at NIOSH, presents about a recent research on lithium batteries. Click here to watch.