Electrically powered solutions offer benefits especially during periods of high diesel prices By Steve Fiscor, Editor-in-Chief The engines powering the haul trucks at mining operations consume vast amounts of diesel, often measured in tons rather than liters. With a conflict in the Middle East disrupting the flow of oil, the increasing cost of diesel is eating away at profit margins at the mines. Interest in electrically powered equipment is high and, with the evolution of battery technology, the hybrid concept for an ultra-class haul truck is attracting more interest. For the mines that are concerned with reducing their carbon footprint, the hybrid concept also appears to be a winner. The reduction in diesel consumption is further accentuated if the mine draws power from a renewable source. More suppliers are also reporting milestones with autonomous haulage at mines. Last month, readers might recall that Komatsu celebrated its 1,000th autonomous hauler at the Cortez mine in Nevada. Earlier this year, Epiroc LinkOA and Cat reported developments with iron ore mines in Western Australia. While autonomous haulage solves problems in one area, its use can create issues in other areas. As an example, spillage during the haulage and loading cycle can cause tire damage if undetected. Fortunately, Kal Tire has developed a tool that identifies spillage and the dump areas and during the spotting process around the shovel. What follows is a collection of announcements from suppliers related to haul trucks. Hitachi Hosts Battery-powered Demo During May, Hitachi Construction Machinery (soon to be Landcros) invited miners from 25 companies to evaluate its battery-powered EH4000AC-3 at a Zambian copper mine, showcasing its potential to lower fuel costs in real-world applications. The EH4000AC-3 uses an overhead trolley charging system to propel the truck on grade and charge the battery. According to Hitachi, the gorup saw