https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/
Kirkland Lake Gold is moving away from the use of diesel fuel in its mining operations, with the introduction of lithium-ion battery-powered scoops and trucks in its underground gold mines. To date, the company has invested more than $15 million into the development of battery-powered equipment.
On Feb. 27, at Science North in Sudbury, the gold miner showed off its newest addition to the fleet: a ‘153’ load-haul-dump (LHD) truck, manufactured by California-based Artisan Vehicle Systems.
Artisan specializes in battery-powered mining equipment, and Kirkland Lake Gold is operating about one third of its equipment fleet with Artisan battery cells.
The ‘153’ name is derived from its 1.5-yard width and three-tonne capacity. The machine has 300 per cent of the horsepower of a diesel 2.0 yard LHD and can carry 30 per cent more load per bucket.
“This is our third unit (153) but it’s the first in Canada and it will be going to Kirkland Lake Gold,” said Mike Mayhew, director of sales and marketing for Artisan Vehicle Systems.
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