ABB has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Liebherr Mining Equipment to collaborate in bringing solutions to market that will reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with heavy machinery in mining.
The two leading technology companies will explore the development of state-of-the-art equipment and digital solutions for overall electrification of mine sites, with particular focus on trolley support. Bringing together complementary areas of expertise, ABB and Liebherr will also address the demands of remote industrial applications in their quest for net zero emissions mining machinery.
GHG emissions
Under the agreement, the companies will study and evaluate the possibility of future projects, using technologies available to them now and those becoming available in the coming months and years. Working closely together will improve understanding and awareness of which existing solutions they might combine and where new research and development opportunities might be.
“The ABB team is covering a very large footprint in the surface mining industry with a strong reputation in the supply of electrical infrastructure solutions,” said Peter Hoeher, Liebherr Mining Equipment Newport News Managing Director. “Trolley applications will be the key technology to reduce the overall GHG emissions from surface mining operations in the fastest way possible whilst maintaining all the benefits of haul trucks in terms of performance, cost, and operational flexibility. We also consider trolley as a key technology for fully electrified haul truck solutions.”
“The Liebherr Mining Equipment team shares our commitment to developing solutions for mining operations that have net zero emissions at their core,” said Mehrzad Ashnagaran, ABB’s Global Product Line Manager – Electrification and Composite Plant. “Building from our trolley assist infrastructure, which can reduce GHG emissions greatly, we can be part of wider electrification plans and help set bold targets for the near-term future.”
ABB Ability™ MineOptimize
The announcement today follows a call from ABB earlier this year for more collaboration between OEMs and the key technology suppliers. The mission of developing combined solutions is to enhance the efficiency and flexibility of customer businesses, contributing to the reduction of CO₂ and supporting a sustainable society. ABB is collaborating with some of the world’s most innovative mining customers, OEMs and technology innovators to accelerate the decarbonization of operations. ABB is committed to playing a fundamental role in the transition towards zero emissions industrial machinery, drawing on its domain expertise in electrification, digitalization and automation solutions, to support this objective.
ABB is celebrating 130 years of pioneering experience in the mining industry and delivers complete electrification, automation and digital solutions, industry-specific products and lifecycle services across every stage of the mining cycle. ABB’s digital applications draw on advanced libraries and software solutions to reduce process complexity and can integrate with existing equipment and technology. ABB Ability™ MineOptimize is a digitalized portfolio of connected solutions that is already improving the energy efficiency as well as productivity and optimization of CAPEX and OPEX of open pit and underground mines worldwide.