Articles tagged with "mining-technology"
China's 240-ton electric truck fleet to transform mine operations
Chinese heavy equipment manufacturer XCMG has developed a 240-ton battery-electric haul truck capable of carrying payloads exceeding 550,000 pounds with a gross vehicle weight over 840,000 pounds. The truck’s electric drive system delivers about 2,550 horsepower, enabling it to climb grades up to 17% and reach speeds of roughly 35 mph, matching the performance of traditional diesel trucks while producing zero exhaust emissions. This innovation represents a significant advancement in zero-emission mining technology, demonstrating that battery power can rival diesel engines in heavy mining applications. XCMG recently signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Fortescue, a major Australian iron ore producer, to supply up to 200 of these electric trucks. This partnership is a key step in Fortescue’s efforts to decarbonize its mining operations and reduce its carbon footprint. The deal builds on a previous contract for battery-electric ancillary mining equipment and highlights Fortescue’s strategy of leveraging China’s rapid green technology manufacturing capabilities.
electric-trucksbattery-electric-vehiclesmining-technologyzero-emissiongreen-energyheavy-equipmentdecarbonizationSeabed Mining Under the Microscope: A Techno-Economic Reality Check - CleanTechnica
The article presents a detailed discussion between Michael Barnard and Lyle Trytten, a minerals processing expert, focusing on the techno-economic realities of seabed mining, particularly polymetallic nodules. The Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific Ocean is highlighted as the most explored and richest area for these nodules, with The Metals Company (TMC) having declared a small but significant mineral reserve of 50 million tons through a pre-feasibility study. This reserve classification indicates that the project is economically viable under current regulatory and market conditions. While the CCZ contains vast quantities of nodules, not all are economically extractable due to variations in density and metal composition. The potential impact of seabed mining is substantial enough to disrupt traditional terrestrial mining industries, especially in high-cost regions like Canada and parts of Africa. In contrast, other regions such as American Samoa and the Cook Islands remain underexplored, with uncertain resource quantities and variable nodule compositions influenced by local geological
energyseabed-miningmineral-resourcespolymetallic-nodulesbattery-mineralstechno-economic-assessmentmining-technologyPhotos: New airless steel wheel can transform mining trucks' operations
Global Air Cylinder Wheels (GACW), based in Phoenix, Arizona, is preparing to commercialize an innovative airless steel wheel designed to replace traditional rubber tires on heavy mining vehicles such as haul trucks, excavators, and bulldozers. Developed over nearly a decade, the patented Air Suspension Wheel (ASW) features a mechanical steel construction with in-wheel pneumatic suspension using nitrogen-filled air cylinders. This design aims to significantly extend durability—lasting the typical 10 to 15-year lifespan of mining vehicles—while eliminating common issues with rubber tires, including frequent wear, explosions, and overheating. The ASW also incorporates replaceable treads, enhancing maintainability and reducing downtime compared to the hours-long process required for traditional tire replacement. The ASW addresses both economic and environmental challenges faced by the mining industry. Rubber tires in harsh mining conditions often need replacement every six to nine months, costing up to $7 million per truck over its lifetime and contributing to substantial operational expenses. GACW estimates that
materialsmining-technologysteel-wheelsairless-tiressustainable-materialsheavy-machinerytire-innovationU.S. Energy Department Supports Critical Minerals & Materials Supply Chain - CleanTechnica
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has made significant strides in bolstering the critical minerals and materials supply chains, a priority advanced under President Biden and supported by Democrats in Congress. Despite initial delays and uncertainties, the Trump administration has continued backing this sector, recognizing its importance for future technology and economic growth. Recently, the DOE issued nearly $1 billion in notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) aimed at advancing mining, processing, and manufacturing technologies across key stages of these supply chains. Key initiatives include the Critical Minerals and Materials (CMM) Accelerator program, which focuses on maturing technologies to enable domestic commercialization in areas such as rare-earth magnet supply chains, semiconductor materials, and lithium extraction. The Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management plans to allocate about $250 million to pilot recovery of valuable mineral byproducts at American industrial facilities. Additionally, the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) aims to enhance domestic rare earth element (REE) supply chains by supporting
energycritical-mineralsmaterials-supply-chainrare-earth-elementsmining-technologymanufacturing-technologieslithium-extractionHow a New Jersey startup found an electrifying way to slash copper costs
Still Bright, a New Jersey startup founded in 2022, has developed an innovative and environmentally friendly method to extract copper more efficiently from existing ores and tailings. With global copper demand set to surge due to the transition away from fossil fuels, traditional mining faces challenges such as limited easily accessible ores and the need for numerous new mines. Still Bright’s technology uses a vanadium-based solution to soak copper-containing ores, extracting nearly all the copper without the pre-processing losses typical in conventional methods. The solution is regenerated electrically, inspired by vanadium flow battery technology, enabling a cleaner process that avoids the harmful pollution associated with burning unwanted ore components. The startup’s modular system is compact and cost-effective, with equipment 70% to 90% cheaper than traditional pyrometallurgical refining gear, and processes copper rapidly—within minutes to an hour. Although currently operating at pilot scale producing two tons annually, Still Bright plans to build a demonstration unit by 2027 or 2028 capable of producing
energymaterialscopper-extractionvanadium-flow-batterymining-technologysustainable-miningclean-energy-technologyChina's rare earth dominance keeps the US in a strategic bind
The article highlights China’s strategic dominance in the rare earth supply chain, contrasting it with the United States’ focus on upstream mining and political maneuvering. While the US primarily extracts rare earth ores, China has developed a comprehensive, end-to-end supply chain encompassing efficient separation, purification, and downstream processing. This dominance did not arise overnight; it is the result of decades of technological innovation and strategic investment, particularly following breakthroughs in the 1970s that allowed China to move from exporting raw ores to producing high-purity rare earth elements at scale. A pivotal figure in this transformation was Xu Guangxian, who in 1972 introduced the “rare earth cascade extraction” method, significantly improving the efficiency and purity of rare earth separation. This innovation enabled China to industrialize rare earth refining without relying on expensive Western equipment, allowing it to surpass Japan and the US in practical refining capabilities. Subsequently, China aggressively lowered prices, outcompeting Western producers and becoming the primary global hub for rare earth processing.
materialsrare-earth-elementssupply-chainmining-technologyChina-dominanceindustrial-innovationresource-extractionAV startup Pronto.ai acquires off-road autonomous vehicle rival SafeAI
Pronto.ai, a San Francisco-based startup specializing in autonomous haulage systems for off-road vehicles used in construction and mining, has acquired its competitor SafeAI. The acquisition, reportedly valued in the millions, brings SafeAI’s 12-person engineering team and intellectual property under Pronto’s umbrella. Pronto CEO Anthony Levandowski described the move as both a talent and technology acquisition aimed at consolidating resources to accelerate growth. The deal positions Pronto as one of the two main players in the autonomous haulage space, enabling it to expand its customer base, including international markets, and serve a wider range of mining operations from small quarries to large mines. Pronto’s technology primarily relies on a camera-only approach combined with advanced sensors, AI, and a proprietary peer-to-peer mobile data network called Pollen, which supports high-speed data exchange in low-connectivity environments. SafeAI, founded in 2017 and backed by $38 million in funding, employs a multi-sensor system including cameras
robotautonomous-vehiclesAImining-technologysensorssafety-certificationoff-road-vehiclesRock Cutting Robot!
The Catonator by KUKA is a mobile robotic arm equipped with a large saw blade measuring between 1000 and 2000 mm in diameter. Designed specifically for heavy-duty cutting tasks, it targets applications such as mining where cutting through rock and concrete is required. The robot's mobility and powerful cutting capabilities enable it to perform these tasks more efficiently and safely compared to traditional manual methods. By automating the cutting process, the Catonator enhances precision and reduces the risk to human operators working in hazardous environments. Its design reflects a growing trend in industrial automation, particularly in sectors like mining and construction, where robust and reliable robotic solutions can significantly improve productivity and safety.
robotrobotic-armrock-cuttingmining-technologyKUKAindustrial-robotautomationĐội xe khai thác mỏ tự động lớn nhất thế giới
robotIoTenergyautomationelectric-vehiclesmining-technologyartificial-intelligenceHồ nước thải có thể cung cấp 40 tấn đất hiếm mỗi năm
rare-earth-elementswastewater-treatmentmining-technologysustainable-resourcesenvironmental-sciencechemical-engineeringresource-extractionHồ nước thải có thể cung cấp 40 triệu tấn đất hiếm mỗi năm
rare-earth-elementswastewater-treatmentmining-technologyenvironmental-sustainabilityresource-extractionchemical-engineeringacid-mine-drainage