Pretivm trialled the 50-tonne capacity battery-electric mining vehicles (BEVs), which Sandvik says generates just 1/8th the heat of its diesel equivalent, but twice the peak horsepower, at Brucejack for six months prior to the order.
Delivery of the seven-truck fleet will start next month, with the entire fleet to be complete by early 2023.
The Sandvik Z50 is powered by lithium batteries and a power-dense electric motor system - four electric motors generating 560 kW and 8200 Nm of torque.
A self-loading battery swap system reduces changeover time, while a camera system gives the operator a complete view of their surroundings.
"Replacing our diesel-fueled fleet with zero-emissions electric haul trucks delivers significant environmental benefits and extends the advantages from our use of low-carbon hydro-electric power at Brucejack," said Jacques Perron, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pretivm.
Brucejack Mine is located in northwestern British Columbia, approximately 65 kilometres north of Stewart, and the mine's operations and camps are connected to and powered by the BC Hydro power grid, with full diesel backup available. The mine has produced 1,316,439 ounces of gold since it began commercial operation in July 2017, according to the company's website.
"The success of the Sandvik Z50 battery truck at Pretivm is indicative of an expected trend we will see with underground mining operations in the pursuit of productive technologies that reduce overall costs, while significantly reducing environmental impact," said Dale Rakochy, Business Line Manager for Sandvik's Load and Haul division.
Sandvik also noted today that the Pretivm order brings its received orders for BEVs to about SEK 140 million ($16 million) in June, marking Sandvik's highest ever order intake for mining BEVs in a single month. Com0mitments for battery-as-a-service (BaaS) contracts were also secured.
The BEV orders from Canadian mining customers included the seven Sandvik Z50 50-ton underground haul trucks for Pretivm and two Sandvik LH518B 18-ton loaders from an unnamed customer.
"I am pleased to see the high interest among customers in our battery-electric offering, and these orders underpin commitment to a more sustainable mining future," says Henrik Ager, President of business area Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions.
