A Quebec first in the open-pit mining industry: the electrification of a heavy vehicle

Montreal, November 2, 2020 – The Innovative Vehicle Institute (IVI), Propulsion Québec and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), in collaboration with Adria Power Systems, Dana TM4, Fournier et fils, and Nouveau Monde Graphite, announce the development of a new electric propulsion system and its fast-charging infrastructure adapted for heavy vehicles used in open-pit mining. This project is made possible in part by financial participation from Natural Resources Canada’s Clean Growth and Innovation Program for the Natural Resources sectors, and the Innov-R program of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, administered by InnovÉÉ. Also benefiting from a financial contribution from the Société du Plan Nord, this project marks a major turning point in the electrification of heavy vehicles in North America.

Amid a transition toward lower-environmental-impact operations, key players in the mining industry are working to phase out diesel vehicles, since they are responsible for significant greenhouse gas emissions and generate high operating costs. Currently, there is no commercially available heavy electric truck that meets the demanding operational and climatic needs of open-pit mines. In response to the industry’s new requirements, the IVI, Propulsion Québec and the NRC have brought together select partners to electrify a heavy vehicle intended for the mining sector.

To ensure the success of this large-scale project, Fournier et Fils, a recognized operator in the mining sector, will provide a Western Star 6900XD truck with a 40-tonne carrying capacity to the project, along with its technical experts, who will assist electrification specialists in converting the truck to accommodate the new components. The powertrain aspects will be developed by Dana TM4, a world leader in electric motors.

Inspired by the new recommendations of the Global Mining Guidelines (GMG), the battery design will be carried out by the IVI. Evaluated and tested by the NRC, the battery will meet specific criteria: it will be low-cost and adapted to the harsh conditions of open-pit mines. Thus, with the objective of achieving lower operating costs, this electric mining vehicle will be able to operate year-round, including in winter. To effectively meet the truck’s power and charging time requirements, a high-power charging infrastructure will be developed by Adria Power Systems, who will also be responsible for battery assembly.

It is noteworthy that the selected technological solution will stand out for its highly innovative character and will be designed to be adaptable to other types of heavy mining vehicles.

In addition to being profitable and viable, the electric mining truck will have greatly positive environmental impacts for the mining industry and for Canada. For example, Nouveau Monde Graphite, one of the project’s mining partners, plans to use 12 electric trucks and avoid emissions of more than 220 tonnes of greenhouse gases through the saving of more than 80,000 litres of diesel per year, according to preliminary estimates. The company, located in Saint-Michel-des-Saints, aspires to become one of the world’s first 100% electric open-pit mines.

The prototype is expected to make its first real-world test runs as early as spring 2022 at a Fournier et Fils quarry site and at the Nouveau Monde Graphite site.

"We help mining companies lower their emissions by investing in on-site emissions-reduction technologies, and the miners give us a hand by operating the clean technologies we will need to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050."

"This project demonstrates Propulsion Québec’s effectiveness in stimulating the sharing of expertise among companies to bring clean technologies to light. Quebec is well engaged in the electric transition, and the project announced today fits perfectly with our desire to produce electric commercial vehicles. I am all the more enthusiastic that the prototype will be used in a graphite mine, a key element in the development of the battery supply chain."

"We are proud to support the realization of this very promising electric heavy vehicle for the sustainable development of the mining industry, which fits perfectly within our plan to add value to critical and strategic minerals. Our strategic vision for mining development aims notably to prevent and mitigate its environmental impacts. There is no doubt that this collaborative project, supported by the Société du Plan Nord, will contribute to achieving that objective. The active participation of the Government of Quebec in the development of green technologies for the mining industry already allows me to envision the time when electric trucks will traverse Quebec’s mines, which could completely revolutionize the industry."

"To meet the climate challenge, we must replace fossil fuels as much as possible with our hydroelectricity. I therefore welcome the commitment of the partners of this project to create a first 100% electric heavy vehicle intended for open-pit mines. We are proud to support this project, which aligns perfectly with our government’s vision of electrifying Quebec’s economy, particularly the transportation sector, with the dual objective of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and stimulating our economy. Mindful of promoting sustainable mining development in Quebec, we will follow the progress of this project with great interest!"

Innovative Vehicle Institute

The IVI has established itself as the reference for advancing applied research and the development of vehicle technologies that reduce the environmental footprint of transport. With 20 years of experience in developing prototypes of electric vehicles of all kinds, the IVI is an innovation accelerator helping Quebec industry to quickly position itself in a growing market. The IVI also works on research and development of navigation and driver assistance systems for autonomous vehicles intended notably for the automotive, agricultural and industrial sectors. Incorporated as a non-profit organization, the IVI holds the status of a College Technology Transfer Center affiliated with Cégep de Saint-Jérôme and receives financial support from the Ministry of Higher Education (MES), the Ministry of Economy and Innovation (MEI), NSERC and the City of Saint-Jérôme.

Propulsion Québec

About Propulsion Québec: Quebec’s electric and intelligent transportation cluster mobilizes all stakeholders in the sector around coordinated projects aimed at positioning Quebec among the leaders in the development and implementation of land transportation modes that promote electric and intelligent transportation. Created in 2017, Propulsion Québec now has more than 180 members from different sectors and deploys its resources across seven distinct workstreams aimed at developing and supporting innovative projects. The cluster benefits from the financial support of the Government of Quebec, the Government of Canada and the Montreal Metropolitan Community (CMM), the FTQ Solidarity Fund, the City of Quebec, Quebecor and ATTRIX.

National Research Council of Canada

As Canada’s largest federal research organization, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) partners with Canadian industry to take research out of the laboratory and find commercial applications. This market-oriented approach enables faster innovation, improves Canadians’ quality of life and helps find solutions to some of the most pressing problems facing the planet today.

Adria Power Systems

For a quarter of a century, Adria Power Systems has carved out a prominent place in the design and production of electrical products for heavy and mining industries. Adria has developed expertise that meets standards of robustness, reliability and enhanced safety while using the most recent developing technologies. Design and constant communication with its clients have made Adria, since its beginnings, a supplier of high-quality, durable, safe and high-performing equipment.

Dana TM4

Dana TM4 is a joint venture between Dana Incorporated and Hydro-Québec. Dana TM4 develops and manufactures electric motors, generators, power electronics and control systems for high- and low-voltage markets for commercial, passenger, sport or recreational vehicles as well as the maritime, rail and mining sectors. Dana TM4 contributes to the highest possible energy conversion efficiencies thanks to its expertise in permanent magnet motors, thermal management, winding, external rotor topology and control algorithms. Dana TM4 is located in Boucherville, Quebec and has operations in Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, China and soon in India.

Fournier et fils

Based in Val-d’Or, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Fournier et Fils is a family business that has been operating in the mining, industrial, commercial and residential sectors for more than 80 years. It stands out from other companies in its sector through its multidisciplinary nature and its impressive range of products and services that meet its customers’ needs. Unique in its diversity, Fournier operates primarily in the concrete, crushing, civil and mining engineering, excavation and transport sectors. Its numerous partnerships with Canadian mining companies over recent years have allowed the company to develop excellent mastery of work methods in its field.

InnovÉÉ

InnovÉÉ’s mission is to support the development and financing of collaborative projects by pooling the expertise and resources of industrial partners and research institutions. Our areas of activity are related to the electrical industry, smart grids, transport electrification as well as smart vehicles and transport systems.

Nouveau Monde Graphite

Nouveau Monde is on track to become a key player in the energy revolution. The Company is developing the only fully integrated source of environmentally friendly anode material for batteries in the West. Targeting the launch of its full-capacity commercial operations in 2023, the Company will provide advanced carbon-neutral graphite-based material solutions for the rapidly expanding fuel cell and Li-ion battery markets. With low-cost operations and by meeting the highest ESG standards, Nouveau Monde will become a strategic supplier to major battery and vehicle manufacturers worldwide, ensuring a robust and reliable supply of advanced materials while guaranteeing supply chain traceability.