Norge Mining is partnering with ABB to design a fully electric mine in southwest Norway. Here’s a taster of what the next generation of mining looks like.
Q. ABB’s tagline is – ‘Helping industries outrun – leaner and cleaner, with our technologies in electrification and automation’. Please explain…
Anton Venter: The decarbonisation of industries is our main focus today. We are active across a range of industries, including energy industries, mining, metals, pulp and paper, cement, battery. The list goes on. When we talk about leaner and cleaner, these are the main drivers for working with ABB. Leaner means greater efficiency and productivity – thanks to automation and digitalisation. Cleaner means electrification, and that doesn’t involve dangerous greenhouse gases. We do a lot of research and development to progress knowledge and innovation continuously.
With 130 years of history, we are proud of the fact that we have the most comprehensive portfolio in the electrification, automation and digitalization of the mining and minerals processing industry. What’s more, we have a broad perspective and approach to every project – benefitting from applications and solutions developed in other industries and applying them to mining. This gives us an edge.
Q. What are the main considerations when electrifying a mine?
Anton Venter: CapEx and OpEx are, of course, major considerations – and sometimes it’s a trade-off between the two. We look at environmental factors – what technology is available and how can we apply it to both existing and future technologies? Is it compatible? Is it plug and play, or do we need to replace everything? One of the big challenges is energy supply. And when we are dealing with difficult conditions, we have to think deeply about doing things in the most environmentally friendly ways. And to the highest safety standards. It’s really interesting, meaningful work.
Q. How does that impact on the types of future jobs in mining?
Anton Venter: What’s really fascinating is that Gen Z and Gen X-ers don’t want to work in mines. They want to work in offices and with computers. So, if you cultivate these remote operations, it’ll hopefully avoid the dearth in talent we are seeing. In many ways, mining jobs can become tech office jobs.
Q. Can ‘green mining’ ever become a reality?
Anton Venter: I think it’s a realistic achievement; we are partly there. We’ve already integrated renewable energy – like wind, solar, hydro and, battery storage systems – that supplements fossil fuels. A few mines already operate on fully renewable energy. We are electrifying mining vehicles – Boliden in Sweden have fully electrified their underground vehicles. It makes so much sense on so many levels – environmental, of course, but safety, too, as it eliminates dangerous exhaust gasses. A fully green mine is just on the horizon, in my opinion – and we admire Norge Mining’s ambition to have a fully electrified mine.
Q. What’s it like working on this pioneering ‘next generation’ project?
Anton Venter: It’s always energising to work on a mining project no matter where in the world it is. What’s interesting is learning from the different environments, climates, cultures and customers, and then we can see how we can apply what we learn to other projects. There are very few mining projects in Europe, they are mainly in the north. And so, to have a project in Europe with such sustainable ambitions is motivating. We believe this will have a positive impact on European supply chains for the energy transition.
Q. What’s the partnership been like?
Anton Venter: It’s one of the most collaborative relationships we’ve ever had with a customer. There is a very high level of cooperation, openness, and there’s a lot of trust. And that’s always a good formula for a successful project. We are now moving from the pre-feasibility stage to the feasibility stage over the next 12 months or so – this is where the solid foundational groundwork happens. This is what the project will be in real terms. We are constantly thinking about the future.
