Swapping aluminum for copper will maintain China’s resources, group says
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Global copper miner Antofagasta has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Swedish-Swiss tech giant ABB to accelerate decarbonization initiatives by electrifying and automating its mining operations in Chile.
The collaboration aims to advance sustainable solutions for mining in an industry-wide effort to reach emissions reduction goals, the companies said in a news release. The goal is to develop and implement a net zero emission haulage solution by leveraging ABB’s expertise as well as its eMine solutions.
The mining industry is striving to close the gap in demand for copper driven by the energy transition, while simultaneously wrangling the challenge of decarbonizing their own operations. Currently, anticipated mine supply from announced projects is expected to meet only 70% of copper requirements by 2035, according to the International Energy Agency.
Net zero emission haul trucks have been identified as a key solution for achieving large-scale decarbonization for mines around the world, ABB said, adding that this collaboration represents a significant step toward advancing the adoption of electrification in mining and defining best practice for the industry.
ABB is supporting Antofagasta with its decarbonization roadmap by supplying advanced technology solutions from its eMine portfolio
Antofagasta said its purpose is to “develop mining for a better future” and to be at the forefront of decarbonization. It is working towards reducing its emissions by 50% by 2035 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, having already reduced its Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon dioxide emissions by 928,000 tonnes.
Through the development of the trolley trial at its Los Pelambres operation, the company has played a pivotal role in advancing the implementation of electrical solutions in the mining ecosystem. Antofagasta expects electrification will present viable solutions for reducing emissions in its haulage processes, and aims to test battery-powered trucks and trolley assist technologies in the next few years.
ABB is supporting Antofagasta with its decarbonization roadmap by supplying advanced technology solutions from its eMine portfolio. Specifically, the parties intend to utilize ABB’s eMine consultative studies to define the techno-economic optimum for the all-electric mine, evaluating decarbonization technologies, impact on mine operation and design, as well as power distribution.
In recognition of the critical role net zero emission haul trucks play in meeting the greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, ABB and Antofagasta will collaborate, alongside other third parties, to accelerate the development of net zero emission haulage solutions.
Antofagasta, through its subsidiary Antofagasta Minerals, will act as an early adopter and test site for technology and has committed to using ABB’s eMine trolley system. The system is known to reduce diesel consumption by up to 90% in specific environments while lowering energy costs and overall environmental impact.
This technology not only reduces emissions on the short term, but also enables the future implementation of battery technology in the mining industry, ABB said.
“Our shared vision in achieving more sustainable processes and operations in the mining industry drives us to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible,” ABB’s global business line manager, mining, Max Luedtke said in a news release.
“Industry collaboration is vital to achieving the progress needed to reduce the industry’s environmental impact. As one of the industry’s largest copper players, Antofagasta Minerals’ support is invaluable to this pursuit.
“Combined with ABB’s holistic eMine framework, this is a major step towards achieving the all-electric mine of the future and fuelling decarbonization efforts.”
