France-headquartered Aramine, an underground mining equipment manufacturer and services provider, has released its latest battery-powered machine, the L440B Loader. 

The L440B offers an enhanced tramming capacity of 4.6 t compared to the 1.3 t capacity of its precursor, the L140B miniLoader, which was launched in 2016. Plans call for a 5-ton payload version to follow.

The new more powerful and intuitive machine is built using the same technologies as the L140B. “We started from scratch,” said Marc Melkonian, Co-President of Aramine’s Equipment Division. “We didn’t electrify a diesel machine, we designed battery-powered machines.”

Both models reduce ambient temperature and noise in the mine, eliminate the need to transport fuel underground and are said to lower operating costs. They feature a “quick replacement system” by which the battery module can be “hot-swapped” in less than 10 minutes for uninterrupted operation. Each battery module contains two autonomous battery packs, so the machine can continue to operate if one fails.

Single-pedal control of speed and braking reduces friction or parts wear during braking and provides high regeneration. The software complies with the requirements of Industry 4.0, providing real-time data for optimized operation. The Multi Energy Supply Kit makes it possible to repurpose batteries at the end of their useful life in the mine to supply an office or other facility with basic electricity needs.

Source: International Mining