Volvo Trucks and mining company Boliden now joining forces to
implement electric truck transport in underground
environments.
GOTHENBURG, Sweden, March 21,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Swedish mining group
Boliden is becoming one of the first in the world to start using
battery-electric trucks for heavy underground transport starting
2023. In mining environments, the electric trucks can deliver
several big advantages – including no exhaust emissions, a safer
workplace, and quieter working conditions.
The mining industry is today going through a period of rapid
change, with many players shifting to more sustainable production
methods to provide metals with a lower climate footprint. Just like
in many other mines, exhaust gases from diesel vehicles are
responsible for the majority of the carbon dioxide emissions from
Boliden's mines. The company is committed to reducing its CO2
emissions by 40 percent by 2030*, and for Boliden to achieve its
climate goals, electrification of transport will play a critical
role.
The new cooperation agreement between Boliden and Volvo Trucks
means that two heavy, electric Volvo trucks will be used in
Boliden's Kankberg mine, outside Skellefteå in northern
Sweden. If all trucks in the mine
were to be electric, the CO2 emissions from the mine could be
reduced by more than 25 percent.
"This is an exciting collaboration in an environment with very
tough demands; steep slopes, heavy loads and humid air that wears
on the vehicles," says Jessica
Lindholm, project manager at Volvo Trucks. "The
collaboration with Boliden will give us valuable knowledge about
the performance of electric trucks when driven underground, and
provide answers to questions about how the driveline and batteries
are affected. Reduced carbon dioxide emissions for mining transport
also means that we, indirectly, will reduce our own CO2 emissions,
because the mining industry's raw materials are used in our
trucks."
The first truck to serve the Kankberg mine, a Volvo FH Electric,
will be used to transport rock bolts and other equipment down into
the mine and will be put into service in 2023. Based on the
experience with the first truck, another Volvo FH Electric will
later be put into operation and used for underground transport of
rock and ore.
"We see the collaboration with Volvo as a fantastic opportunity
to push the electric technology forward and at the same time learn
how to adapt our operations for a transition to fossil-free
underground transport. A major benefit of the trucks is that they
will contribute to a more sustainable mine, both in terms of
emissions and also the working environment for our employees",
comments Dennis Forslund, project
manager at Boliden. "In addition, the total amount of energy
consumed in the mine will be lower as electric drive is more energy
efficient than a diesel engine, and it is possible to capture the
electricity regenerated during engine braking on downhill
slopes."
Volvo Trucks offers the industry's widest range of electric
trucks, with six electric truck models in series production, and is
the market leader in heavy electric trucks in Europe and the USA. The company's electric trucks can cover
many different transport needs, ranging from urban distribution and
refuse disposal to regional transport and construction traffic.
Volvo's goal is that 50% of its new trucks sold in 2030 should be
electric.
About Boliden
Boliden is a metals company with a focus on sustainable
development. Its roots are Nordic, the market global. The core
competence lies within the fields of exploration, mining, smelting
and metal recycling. Boliden has around 6,000 employees and annual
sales of approximately SEK 85
billion. The share is listed in the Large Cap segment on
NASDAQ OMX Stockholm.
*Scope 1 and 2, compared to 2021
March 21, 2023
For further information, please contact:
Jan Strandhede
Media Relations Director, Volvo Trucks
jan.strandhede@volvo.com
+46 31 3233715, +46 765 533715
Press images and films are available in the Volvo Trucks image
and film gallery at http://images.volvotrucks.com/
Volvo Trucks supplies complete transport solutions for
discerning professional customers with its full range of medium-
and heavy-duty trucks. Customer support is provided via a global
network of dealers with 2,300 service points in about 130
countries. Volvo trucks are assembled in 12 countries across the
globe. In 2022 approximately 145,000 Volvo trucks were delivered
worldwide. Volvo Trucks is part of the Volvo Group, one of the
world's leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction
equipment and marine and industrial engines. The group also
provides complete solutions for financing and service. Volvo
Trucks' work is based on the core values of quality, safety and
environmental care.
The following files are available for download:
https://mb.cision.com/Main/39/3737536/1929187.pdf
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SOURCE AB Volvo