New generation of mining vehicles unveiled: Atlas Copco unveils new Boomer M2C Battery driller – by Karen McKinley (Northern Ontario Business – August 3, 2017)

https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/

Battery-powered vehicles are taking over underground mining. To meet current demands for cleaner technology and to stay ahead of the innovation curve, Atlas Copco has created an entire suite of battery-powered vehicles, covering the process from bolting, blasting, mucking and hauling.

They added to their ever-growing fleet with the launch of the Boomer M2C Battery driller on Aug. 2 in Sudbury to complements their fleet that includes Minetruck MT42, Scooptram ST1030, Boomer 282 and Aramine L150 miniloader, which were also showcased at the event.

“Mining is coming back and as a company, we have to stay ahead of the innovation and meet demands,” said general manager Jason Smith. “Mines are looking for ways to make the process safer and more cost-effective. These battery-powered machines have zero emissions, unlike diesel machines and they cut down on time spent refueling and maintenance.”

All the battery vehicles were on display for all to see outside the shop in Lively. Shop manager Jean Labelle and others were giving visitors a tour of the new machines, touting their features as cost-effective, safe and much cleaner than diesel.

Fumes underground, Labelle said, have been a problem plaguing the mining industry for decades and eliminating diesel altogether would cut down the hazards significantly, as well as save time and money on refueling. “Miners had to deal with breathing in fumes in the tunnels, that caused all sorts of problems, short-term and long-term, to their health and productivity,” he said.

For the rest of this article: https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/regional-news/sudbury/new-generation-of-mining-vehicles-unveiled-688439