Environmental and Economic Comparison of Diesel and Electric Trucks in Open-Pit Mining Operations
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Authors
Tokac, Batur
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Decarbonization , Toward Sustainable Mining , Net Zero Emissions , Electric Haul Trucks , Electrification in Mining , Fuel Economy
Alternative Title
Abstract
The mining sector is responsible for 4% to 7% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally. Mining companies are looking for ways to significantly reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions to convert their operations into more environmentally friendly yet feasible businesses. Switching their diesel haulage truck fleets to an all-electric haulage fleet is a promising measure under development to eliminate Scope 1 emissions, contributing to companies' net-zero emission goals.
With the development of cutting-edge technologies in the underground mining industry, electric equipment for haulage and production operations started to use in the 1990s. Using battery electric vehicles in the industry improves productivity and efficiency by reducing operating costs and energy consumption and appreciably lowering greenhouse gas emissions. However, the application of electric haulage equipment in open-pit mining operations is still limited. Approximately 200 tonnes of capacity electric haulage trucks are expected to become commercially feasible in the next decade. As electrification technologies and markets evolve rapidly, concerns remain regarding the reliability, productivity, maintenance, required infrastructure, capacity constraints, and operational and capital costs of this transitional measure in open-pit mining.
This study addresses these concerns about replacing diesel trucks with electrical trucks for haulage operations in open-pit mining to assess its environmental and economic consequences. In this context, a discrete event simulation model was developed to investigate diesel consumption and electricity demand for two haulage systems annually, considering variable factors like speed and load factor, their maintenance requirements and availability in harsh weather conditions. The simulation outputs were used to analyze changes in the operating cost and Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Also, an economic model that contained operational costs based on the energy requirements of haulage trucks was used to explore cost-saving potentials while reducing GHG emissions. Upon concluding this study, the analysis reveals that the decision to electrify the haulage fleet in open-pit mining can yield substantial benefits. In a hypothetical case developed in this study, there is a significant reduction in GHG emissions by up to 92.6%, accompanied by a 62% decrease in operating costs, highlighting synergistic environmental and economic advantages associated with electrification in mining operations.
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Attribution 4.0 International
Queen's University's Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License for Deposit to QSpace and Library and Archives Canada
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
Queen's University's Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License for Deposit to QSpace and Library and Archives Canada
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.