Sandvik partners with Boliden for first BEV loader trial in Europe
Boliden’s Garpenberg zinc operation in Sweden will become the first mine in Europe to trial Sandvik LH518B. Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions and Boliden have agreed on a 12-month collaborative trial period for the new 18-tonne battery-electric loader.
Considered one of the most modern mining operations, Garpenberg is the world’s most productive underground zinc mine and Sweden’s oldest mining area still in operation. As a purely battery-powered loader, Sandvik LH518B will support Boliden’s efforts to improve sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions underground.
Sandvik LH518B is easy to implement in most underground operations, as it does not require any major changes to mine infrastructure. The loader’s Sandvik AutoSwap and AutoConnect features facilitate seamless installation of a fresh battery in less than six minutes, enabling it to return to operation significantly sooner than ‘fast-charge’ mining BEVs. The battery swap is performed by the loader itself, controlled by the operator in the cabin, without need for overhead cranes or forklifts.
As a third-generation BEV, Sandvik LH518B has been designed from the ground up entirely around its battery system and electric driveline to fully leverage on the battery system possibilities.
The trial at Garpenberg is planned to start in late 2022.
Turku, Finland, November 24, 2021
For more information, please contact:
Peter Lundmark
Key Account Manager
Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions
Tel. +46703292131
Email: peter.lundmark@sandvik.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sandvik Group
Sandvik is a high-tech and global engineering group offering products and services that enhance customer productivity, profitability and safety. We hold world-leading positions in selected areas – tools and tooling systems for metal cutting; equipment and tools, service and technical solutions for the mining industry and rock excavation within the construction industry; products in advanced stainless steels and special alloys as well as products for industrial heating. In 2020 the Group had approximately 37,000 employees and revenues of about 86 billion SEK in more than 160 countries within continuing operations.
Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions
Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions is a business area within the Sandvik Group and a global leading supplier of equipment and tools, parts, service and digital solutions and sustainability-driving technologies for the mining and construction industries. Application areas include rock drilling, rock cutting, loading and hauling, tunneling and quarrying. In 2020, sales were approximately 33.6 billion SEK with about 12,500 employees within continuing operations.