Mining giants partner with BluVein to engineer e-truck solution

A small Queensland engineering firm is partnering with mining ­giants including BHP, Glencore and Newcrest to develop fleets of electric trucks capable of working deep underground.

A small Queensland engineering firm is partnering with mining ­giants including BHP, Glencore and Newcrest to develop fleets of electric trucks capable of working deep underground.

BluVein, a joint venture between Brisbane-based Olitek and Swedish electric highways ­developer Evias, is in the process of developing prototypes powered by an electric rail similar to a tram or train system.

Big mining companies have set aggressive targets for emissions reductions, with an aim to be net zero by 2050.

South32 recently joined Vale, Northern Star Resources, Glencore, Newcrest, AngloGold Ashanti, BHP, and Agnico Eagle Mines as BluVein funding partners.

BHP said the collaboration was “part of our multifaceted ­approach to reducing vehicle emissions at our operations”.

It also is one of several decarbonisation collaborations BHP is involved with in pursuit of decarbonisation goals.

BluVein chief executive James Oliver grew up tinkering with sugar harvesters while working for his father’s small engineering business Olitek in the canefields of north Queensland.

Mr Oliver said the apprenticeship was one well-served, helping him create a business that now works with some of the world’s biggest miners as they move to electrify their giant fleets of trucks and earthmovers.

“Diesel haulage is one of the single biggest emitters in mining, particularly in the open pit space,” Mr Oliver said. “Cumulatively, it makes up 40 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions for the sector. So if we can take all of the diesel burning off the haul trucks and make them electrified and powered by green electrons, we can have a big impact.”

Big mining companies have set aggressive targets for emissions reductions, with an aim to be net zero by 2050. Picture: AAP

While trucks powered by batteries had been the obvious solution, there were drawbacks, he said. Batteries are heavy and take up a lot of space in a vehicle.

“It is kind of missing the point of being a truck because you are taking away its ability to carry more rock,” Mr Oliver said.

“There is also the issue of ­having to dig more dirt to ­manufacture more batteries for mining trucks so there are limitations to batteries.”

BluVein uses a different ­approach to electrification, but one based on technology seen for more than a century on trams and electric trains.

The system comprises a ­“hammer”, which senses and ­connects with a charging rail that encloses high-voltage conductors. Using the system, trucks can carry fewer batteries and travel longer and more productively.

The rail is mounted above or beside the vehicle, together with the hammer that connects the ­vehicle to the rail providing power and charging the truck’s batteries while the truck is hauling up the ramp and out of an underground mine.

Mr Oliver said the system was based on “e-highway” technology developed in Sweden where an electric slot embedded in a road system drives heavy trucks and other vehicles.

The Nordic country is building the world’s first permanent electric road that will recharge the batteries of cars and trucks as they’re driving on it.

“The BluVein technology allows us to shrink the amount of batteries required on mining trucks by half as we keep as much energy off board as possible,” he said. “That means trucks can carry more rock. If we are looking for genuine net zero, there is a better way than just more and more massive batteries.”

Such trucks could be smaller and therefore more productive and agile for mining operations. “Agile mining requires smaller trucks, but traditionally these sized vehicles can’t carry the required batteries,” he said.

“If we provide the power to the truck it now opens up the option for miners to be able to use that size truck in an electric situation.

“You can make more trucks with fewer batteries because we are providing the energy from an offboard source.”

BluVein is now testing one of these trucks in a quarry near Brisbane before moving to trial the vehicle in an actual mine site.

“By 2025, we aim to be working with a couple of tier 1 miners to do site trials,” Mr Oliver said.