ABB and Epiroc advance collaboration on underground trolley solutions for mining

Collaboration advances the development of underground trolley system solutions for mine haulage fleet decarbonization

ABB and Epiroc have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) based on underground trolley equipment to collaborate on joint, comprehensive and integrated solutions for the mining industry to increase productivity and safety, and achieve decarbonization targets. The MoU builds on past technology deployment successes in Swedish mines.

Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will have teams in collaboration to carry out a comprehensive feasibility assessment of their collective offerings. This review aims to meet the demanding requirements of industrial applications in mining, considering productivity, sustainability, and high-power, automated and safe operations. Any resulting solution would be ruggedized for harsh underground mine environmental conditions and built to approved standards.

The recent track record of ABB and Epiroc includes the first battery-electric trolley truck system for underground mines, developed together with Swedish mining company Boliden. According to ABB’s Mining’s Moment report, 76 percent of global mining companies believe vehicle electrification will bring significant benefits both in terms of sustainability and efficiency. Additionally, 42 percent plan to invest in haulage fleet decarbonization by 2026. In light of this, ABB and Epiroc believe it is time for action.

As mining customers increasingly seek solutions to support this crucial electrification of their vehicle fleets and move to fully decarbonize their operations under environmental, societal and economic pressures, ABB and Epiroc believe they have complementary, specialized expertise in trolley solutions for underground systems to provide integrated offerings using today’s existing technologies.

“Collaboration within the mining industry is crucial to accelerate the transformation of our mining customers’ decarbonization journey,” said Wayne Symes, President with Epiroc’s Underground division. “We are excited to deepen our partnership with ABB by developing a strategic roadmap for sustainable, innovative mining, beginning with the decarbonization of mining truck fleets, expanding on the trolley system to meet the wider needs of the industry with the target set to increase both safety and productivity.”

“The decarbonization of mine haulage fleets is becoming increasingly pressing as we look towards 2030 sustainability goals,” said Max Luedtke, Global Business Line Manager for Mining, ABB Process Industries. “We must encourage collaboration across the industry to speed up the change needed, and Epiroc is aligned with this approach. We know from our recent Mining’s Moment report that 71 percent of mining companies agreed that successful partnerships are key to gaining momentum in the energy transition. Technology players demonstrating a strong commitment to open standards and asset interoperability facilitate these efforts, so we look forward to discovering what else we can achieve with Epiroc and the wider industry.”