Caterpillar reveals off its first-ever underground electrical mining truck

This week, Caterpillar efficiently demonstrated a prototype of an all-new battery electrical underground mining truck at its Australian proving grounds, making it the most recent addition to a rapidly-growing portfolio of battery electrical and semi-autonomous mining machines.

Cat has been on one thing of a roll these days, asserting new OEM-level collaborations and exhibiting off extra additions to its electrical gear ecosystem nearly constantly because the launch of its 793 above-ground electrical mining truck in Arizona again in 2022.

This newest announcement, nevertheless, highlights the corporate’s first-ever underground electrical mining truck. Visually just like the prevailing AD45 articulated hauler (proven, under), the prototype electrical mining truck was developed with buyer enter and assist from the gold mining specialists at Newmont Company, and goals to assist Newmont obtain its imaginative and prescient of a totally related, automated, zero carbon mining system.

Cat AD45 underground hauler

“This milestone is a mirrored image of the partnership between our groups at Newmont and Caterpillar, showcasing the influence of robust collaboration within the mining {industry},” mentioned Rob Atkinson, Government Vice President at Newmont. “Reaching this milestone collectively, combining capabilities and shared values, is a testomony to the energy of our strategic alliance.”

The upcoming battery electrical truck represents the second half of Caterpillar’s first absolutely electrical underground load and haul resolution, the primary half being the R1700 XE battery electrical loader, which was took heart stage at this yr’s CES present and is at the moment obtainable for order. Along with emissions-free operation, the corporate additionally confirmed off its rising autonomy and automation capabilities, which handle among the greatest security considerations confronted by mining prospects – all related to the duty of repetitively shifting huge equipment by darkish, cramped, and loud underground areas.

“This can be a milestone for your complete Caterpillar crew as we work nearer than ever with Newmont to offer extra sustainable selections for the underground mining {industry},” mentioned Denise Johnson, Caterpillar’s Useful resource Industries Group President. “We’re constructing on our basis of industry-leading autonomous options for floor operations, together with our deep expertise in underground expertise, to offer vital enchancment in each productiveness and security for underground mining prospects.”

Electrek’s Take

You’ll be able to depend me (Jo) among the many of people that don’t imagine on-road full self driving goes to be a factor anytime quickly. That mentioned, a mine could be very totally different from Major Avenue, and an autonomous agent that doesn’t get drained in direction of the tip of a shift, that doesn’t get complacent from tracing the identical route a dozen or extra instances a day, and that may see at the hours of darkness might dramatically enhance working situations underground – and that I’m all for.

Supply | Featured Picture: Caterpillar, by way of Gear Journal.