Battery Powered Mining Trucks to Support Customer Goals

It’s an exciting time at Caterpillar as they support their customers in achieving their climate-related objectives. No doubt, the world is on the cusp of an energy transition to address climate change, promote sustainability, and improve communities where we live and work. The energy transition may be uncharted territory, but we’re focused on teaming up with customers to develop solutions that work.

THE FUTURE STARTS HERE

BHP, a world-leading resources company and one of Caterpillar’s largest customers, announced an agreement with Caterpillar to develop zero-emissions battery powered large mining trucks. These brandnew trucks, to be designed and built by Caterpillar, will facilitate the trajectory of zero-emissions mining worldwide.

Mining trucks are the lifeblood of mine sites around the world – which makes them a key component in plans to achieve sustainability and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions goals. Like Caterpillar, BHP is serious about addressing climate change; they are committed to being a net-zero operator by 2050. We’re excited to be part of a valued customer’s plan to reach aspirational goals to build a better world. As part of the newly announced agreement, BHP will have early access to the Caterpillar-developed zero-emissions equipment and will provide input to the developing and testing processes. The resulting collaboration will shape the processes, technology and infrastructure that will ultimately support zeroemissions machines and mine sites of the future. This milestone is the result of more than 12 months of close teamwork between BHP and Caterpillar in analyzing energy demands and options to apply new technologies at BHP sites.

DESIGNING FOR DIVERSITY

Diversity and inclusion (D&I) is foundational to both companies’ business strategies. BHP has an unwavering commitment to D&I – in 2016, the company set an aspirational goal to achieve gender balance by 2025. Caterpillar’s continuing journey to build a more globally diverse workforce and inclusive environment is spelled out in its 2021 D&I Report.

Given the D&I passion of both companies, it’s not surprising that a critical element of the newly announced agreement focuses on supporting a more inclusive mining industry. During the design process, BHP will provide critical input to aid Caterpillar in designing machines that can be comfortably operated and serviced by a broad range of the workforce.

BHP Chief Commercial Officer Vandita Pant said: “The opportunity for our teams to input into the design process also gives us confidence that the trucks will be safer and easier to operate for a workforce that’s more diverse than ever.”

DOING WORK THAT MATTERS

BHP and Caterpillar share similar values. Through our collaborative agreement and teamwork, we are putting our unique purposes into action, working together to redefine the mining industry, and helping build a better, more sustainable world for future generations.

Boliden collaborates with Epiroc and ABB on journey towards fossil free mine

Epiroc, Boliden and ABB will develop and demonstrate an electric trolley truck system on a test track in the Kristineberg mine, Sweden. The electric trolley truck system is a vital component in enabling heavy transportation with electric driven battery vehicles.

This development project will lower CO2 emissions, improve work environment and contribute to Boliden’s vision to be the most climate friendly and respected metal provider in the world. All three partners have clear corporate goals that support more sustainable operations, aiming to help mines improve sustainable production and meet growing metal demand across the world.

The electric trolley assist concept is highly suitable for long haul ramps and builds on Epiroc’s proven Minetruck MT42 Battery. Battery electric vehicles improve operator health and safety, reduces CO2 emissions and lowers total operating costs. The zero-emissions mine truck will be joined by a trolley pantograph, which in turn is connected to an overhead contact power line. ABB's contribution includes design of electric trolley truck systems, definition of standards and vehicle interface, as well as rectifier substation for the test track. The electrical infrastructure is part of the ABB Ability ™ eMine portfolio of integrated portfolio of electrification and digital systems designed to accelerate the decarbonization of the mining sector. “We are very proud to enter this collaboration and are excited to jointly take the next steps on Boliden’s journey towards a fossil free, automated underground mine. Our electrification solutions are well proven globally and contribute to substantial reduction of CO2 emissions, leading to a smaller environmental footprint”, says Lars Bergkvist, Global Key Customer Manager with Epiroc’s Underground division.

“As part of the eMine™ framework and commitment, we build partnership and combine expertise to successfully integrate electrification in mines. We contribute with solutions that further reduce overall costs and improves mine performance while significantly lowering environmental impact,” says Björn Jonsson, Hub Manager, Process Industries at ABB.

Boliden targets full scale electric trolley system implementation in the Rävliden mine, a satellite orebody and extension of the Kristineberg mine, in northern Sweden.

The Minetruck MT42 Battery is part of Epiroc’s new generation zero-emission offering. Since earlier this year, Boliden is also testing Epiroc’s Scooptram ST14 Battery loader and the automated Minetruck MT42. Epiroc will offer its complete fleet of underground mining equipment as battery-electric versions by 2025.

Proterra and Komatsu announce collaboration to electrify underground mining machines

Proterra Inc, a leading innovator in commercial vehicle electrification technology, and Komatsu, a global leader in construction and mining equipment, today announced a nesw collaboration to electrify next-generation underground mining machines using Proterra’s battery technology.

Under the collaboration, Proterra will supply its H Series battery system technology to Komatsu for the development of battery-electric LHDs, drills and bolters for underground hard rock mining. Mining equipment and services provider Komatsu plans to utilize Proterra’s high-performance battery systems for the development of prototype machines this year before the expected commencement of commercial production in 2022.

The collaboration represents Proterra’s entry into the underground mining equipment market.

“Proterra is excited to build on our relationship with a proven, industry-leader like Komatsu to electrify mining machines with our EV technology,” said Gareth Joyce, President of Proterra. “The benefits of zeroemissions, battery-electric vehicles extend far beyond our roads and cities. Switching to battery-electric technology means helping protect clean air for those working in underground mines while delivering a high-performance technology solution where safety and reliability are paramount.” rock,” said Josh Wagner, vice president of hard rock mining at Komatsu. “Leveraging their battery technology, we seek to offer customers increasing sustainable solutions for their operations.”

This is the second collaboration between Proterra and Komatsu. The two companies previously announced an agreement in which Proterra supplies its industry-leading battery systems to support Komatsu in electrifying its first medium-sized hydraulic excavators.

Komatsu has helped advance customer options to mitigate environmental impact through product development for many years, through initiatives such as its hybrid hydraulic excavators kickoff in 2008, which marked the world’s first hybrid construction equipment on the market. This year, Komatsu also announced its new Greenhouse Gas (GHG) alliance with customers to actively collaborate on product planning, development, testing and deployment of the next generation of zero-emission mining equipment and infrastructure. The alliance’s initial target is advancing Komatsu’s power-agnostic truck concept for a haulage vehicle that can run on a variety of power sources including diesel electric, electric, trolley (wired), battery power and even hydrogen fuel cells. energy density and a customizable design to fit within a variety of vehicles. Proterra’s best-in-class battery systems have been proven in more than 20 million service miles driven by Proterra transit vehicles and selected by world-class commercial vehicle manufacturers to power heavy-duty vehicles, including construction equipment.

Proterra battery systems offer an outstanding application for confined, underground mining settings where safety and durability are of utmost importance, while helping to mitigate air and noise pollution through battery-electric technology. Proterra uses rigorous testing to ensure Proterra battery packs are designed to withstand tough conditions and meet or exceed the latest functional safety standards. Proterra battery systems incorporate liquid thermal conditioning, monitoring sensors throughout the battery pack, as well as active and passive protective features like passive propagation resistance to isolate individual battery cells in the rare case of a thermal event.

Construction Project Management

Construction project management is an organized professional service which makes use of specialized, creative project management practices to oversee the entire planning, conceptualization, design, and construction of an organization's project, from the initial planning to the finished operation. It involves the use of technical skills, best practices, financial management, quality control, resource allocation and communication. It is generally a collective discipline of people who work together for a common purpose, such as constructing a building, bridge, airport, or other structures. In the planning stage of the construction project management process, various aspects are considered.

These include budget analysis, scheduling, cost analysis, cost control, cost allocation, cost recovery, and technical solutions. The budget is the most important aspect of the entire plan, as it represents the maximum amount of money that can be spent. It must be analyzed in terms of both revenue potential and expenditure. If revenues are considered more than expenditure, then expenses are adjusted to meet the potential. Finance decisions are made at this stage using methods such as budgeting, financing, debt consolidation, and the sale of assets.

In the scheduling phase, the project manager determines the schedule, as well as milestones and other dependent tasks. Achieving the schedule depends on many factors such as the scope, complexity, and time required. The schedule is dependent on the planning phase objectives, which may include timelines, cost estimates, time limitations, financial constraints, and realistic business models. The objective of scheduling includes reaching the objectives within the defined time frame. This aspect of construction project management involves managing the schedule and controlling the costs.

Cost management, on the other hand, refers to the reduction of expenses associated with the completion of the construction projects. Most construction projects have several levels of enclosures, which involve different levels of labor, materials, and overhead. Contractors are responsible for overall management of all levels of enclosures. Control of costs includes controlling materials, labor, and overhead associated with the completion of each stage.

Although each stage has its own unique set of associated activities, all of them are included in the construction project management process. The project manager decides how to integrate all of these activities to ensure that all of the goals of the organization are met. In the contracting phase, contracts are drawn up between contractors and organization, covering what services the organization requires and how much the contractors are able to provide within a certain period of time. The construction projects are managed through delivery and completion by using supply, subcontractors, material suppliers, transportation contractors, and other heavy civil and heavy equipment contractors.

Plan Street is a system designed to help construction project managers use all of the resources they have available to them for managing construction projects. This system is designed for large, complex, as well as small companies. All of the software tools and modules required by project managers are included, allowing them to complete a full year's worth of reports, analysis, case histories, database searches, and more. Project managers can customize their software programs, so that they can better meet their individual company needs.

Tanzania plans to construct four strategic dams in response to climate change

In response to the effects of climate change, Tanzania plans to construct four strategic dams in different parts of the East African nation, this is according to Cabinet Minister for Water Jumaa Aweso.

The Minister further confirmed that, preparations are underway for the construction of the strategic dams in Dodoma, Morogoro, Songwe and Iringa regions, adding that the construction of the strategic dams will go in tandem with the construction of mediumsized dams in various parts of the country.

"Climate change has indeed affected water resources in the country," Aweso told a press conference in the capital Dodoma.

Aweso said other measures aimed at mitigating climate change impacts on water resources will include drawing water from the major lakes of Victoria, Tanganyika and Nyasa, and also drawing water from major rivers of Ruvuma, Rufiji, Kiwira, Songwe and Kagera. He added that the government has put in place measures aimed at protecting the country's major water catchment areas.

South Africa's Mahlako supplies 10 MWp of solar power to Amazon via wheeling

In South Africa, Mahlako Energy Fund's solar photovoltaic power plant is entering commercial operation in the Northern Cape Province. The project is intended to supply solar photovoltaic energy to Amazon Web Services (AWS) via wheeling.

Mahlako Financial Services (MFS) has been successful. The 100% black-owned energy investment and advisory firm is successfully commissioning a solar PV plant in Khathu, in South Africa’s Northern Cape province. The company implemented its project through its Mahlako Energy Fund, which entered into a “wheeling” transaction with Amazon Web Services (AWS), the subsidiary of U.S. e-commerce group Amazon, which specializes in on-demand cloud computing services for businesses and individuals.

Wheeling allows electricity to be generated remotely in one location and billed to an energy user in another area. The Khathu solar plant has a capacity of 10 MWp. This power feeds AWS’ facilities through the state-owned Eskom grid. Read also- COP26: South Africa receives an $8.5bn cheque for its energy transition “With the South African government’s recent announcement at COP26 to accelerate investment in renewable energy and other sectors, we are committed to contributing to South Africa’s goals of just transitioning to cleaner forms of energy,” says Meta Mhlarhi, director of Mahlako Energy Fund and managing director of MFS. According to the Sandton-based company, the project implemented in partnership with the Sola Group has contributed to the economic development of the Northern Cape Province during the construction phase and, throughout its lifetime, will support permanent jobs in the areas of electrical maintenance, operations and safety.

Africa Ren launches the construction of the Kodeni Solar plant in Bukina Faso

Africa Ren, the French company is launching the construction of the Kodeni Solar photovoltaic power plant in Burkina Faso. The plant, which will come on stream in 2022, will have a capacity of 38 MWp.

Africa Ren closes financing for a solar photovoltaic project in Burkina Faso. The Paris, France-based Company is also starting construction of the solar power plant at a site near Bobo-Dioulasso in the west of the country. As part of its project, Africa Ren has set up the company Kodeni Solar, which has signed a public-private partnership (PPP) with the Burkinabe authorities.

Wholly owned by Africa Ren, Kodeni Solar has raised the necessary financing for the construction of its plant from the Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO), and it’s Access to Energy Fund (AEF) provided by the Dutch government. Kodeni Solar is also supported by the Interact Climate Change Facility (ICCF), a joint facility of European development institutions that provided longterm debt. The development phase of the project was co-financed by the Seed Capital Assistance Facility (SCAF), an initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Commissioning in 2022

Kodeni Solar has entrusted the construction of its solar power plant to Ineo by Equans. The subsidiary of the French group Engie will build a solar power plant with a capacity of 38 MWp. The solar power plant is expected to go into commercial operation in 2022. The plant will be one of the largest in Burkina Faso, with a capacity greater than that of Nagréongo (34 MWp), currently being built by the French independent power producer (IPP) GreenYellow, a subsidiary of the Casino Group. For Bachir Ismaël Ouedraogo, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Energy, the Kodeni Solar project is “essential for the energy autonomy of Burkina Faso. Solar energy is the cheapest and most abundant source of electricity for the country. Kodeni Solar also demonstrates that the government’s framework for encouraging PPPs is beginning to pay off. More than 500 MW of capacity will be added before 2025 at an extremely competitive price, to the benefit of the Burkinabe population and businesses. An investment that will lead to others

The Kodeni Solar plant will employ 150 people during its construction phase and another 35 during its operation. The facility will be able to produce 73,000 MWh of electricity per year, which will be fed into the grid of the Société nationale d’électricité du Burkina Faso (SONABEL). The state-owned utility already has a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Kodeni Solar. Africa Ren estimates that its plant, which will come on line in August 2022, will be able to power 115,000 Burkinabe households while avoiding the emission of 41,000 tons of CO2 equivalent each year.

Its CEO Gilles Parmentier does not rule out investing in another clean energy project in Burkina Faso. Africa Ren could then benefit from the support of Africa Ren Energy. This newly formed investment holding company is intended to support Africa Ren’s projects, as well as the operational entities of the Africa Ren group. The platform is co-funded by FMO and Metier Sustainable Capital, a private equity fund focused on clean infrastructure investments across Africa, managed by Metier.

Azuri Towers is a mixed-use development situated in the Marina District of the Eko Atlantic City in Lagos, the capital of Nigeria. The project comprises three 30+ floor towers i.e Azuri ONE, Azuri TWO, and Azuri Offices, as well as multiple townhouses with some retail elements at ground floor level.

Azuri ONE and Azuri TWO will include 7-bedroom villas on the top floors, 6-bedroom penthouses, and 2 and 4-bedroom apartments complemented by amenities such as smart homes with state-of-theart connectivity (optional), 24-hour electricity, and integrated air conditioning system.

This is in addition to concierge services & valet parking, swimming pool, gymnasium & games rooms, a minimum of two parking bays per resident with visitor parking areas, squash courts, restaurants, shopping outlets including mini-marts, access to the marina which berths up to 350 yachts including 25-meter yachts as well as a boat, ferry & helicopter services linking the city to Lagos metropolis, children’s play area & playroom, and generous rooftop gardens over 2 acres or 8,000sqm.

AZURI OFFICES, on the other hand, the Azuri Towers’ dedicated high-tech office tower, will offer state-of-the-art amenities such as fibre optic data connections and SMATV that take unique advantage of Eko Atlantic’s existing, selectively pre-conceived infrastructure.