LFP Batteries to Revolutionize Sandvik Underground Drills
Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions introduced its groundbreaking Lithium Iron-Phosphate (LFP) battery technology for battery-electric underground drills at MINExpo 2024 in Las Vegas. Known for its leadership in battery-electric drilling, Sandvik’s new LFP technology promises to significantly enhance drill performance while maintaining the highest levels of safety in harsh mining environments.
“Sandvik has been the leader in battery-electric underground drilling since launching the industry’s first BEV – Sandvik DD422iE – in 2016,” said Marko Roivas, Product Line Manager for Underground Drilling at Sandvik. “Now, we are introducing a significant development in underground drilling technology with this new LFP battery.”
Field Testing at Agnico Eagle’s Kittilä Mine Shows Promising Results
Field testing of the LFP batteries took place at Agnico Eagle’s Kittilä mine in northern Finland, showcasing the immense potential of the new technology. Operators experienced a 50% increase in tramming distance and 20% higher speeds when tramming uphill. The two onboard battery packs provided 36% more usable energy than the existing battery technology, while charging time was reduced by an impressive 55%.
“We saw remarkable improvements in performance during field testing, including significant increases in battery tramming distance and speed, which has been one of the biggest hurdles to implementing BEVs in operations with long declines,” Roivas commented.
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Enhanced Safety and Durability for Harsh Mining Environments
LFP batteries are renowned for their safety, long life, and tolerance to thermal runaway, making them ideal for the demanding conditions of underground mining. Unlike traditional battery technologies, LFP batteries do not require pre-heating before use, further enhancing operational efficiency.
“LFP batteries are robust and purpose-built for harsh mining environments while retaining the same level of safety as Sandvik’s existing battery technology,” said Roivas. This latest innovation also retains the environmental and health benefits of battery-electric drilling, including zero-emission operations, reduced heat generation, and lower noise levels.
LFP Battery Retrofits Available for Current Sandvik BEV Models
Sandvik plans to offer LFP battery technology first on its DD422iE development drills, with additional testing underway for the DL422iE production drills and DS412iE bolters. By 2025, LFP batteries will be available as standard on these models. Additionally, current Sandvik BEV underground drill customers using Sodium Nickel (SoNick) batteries will have the option to retrofit their equipment with LFP battery kits, providing access to the latest advancements in battery technology.
