Epiroc has pioneered a battery-electric underground mine truck prototype made from fossil-free steel in line with its vision to produce the world’s greenest machines. A partnership with Swedish steelmaker SSAB accelerates the journey toward reduced carbon-dioxide emissions, ultimately helping mining companies reach their climate goals.
In partnership with SSAB, Epiroc now prototypes an underground mine truck with a dump box made of fossil-free steel, the battery-electric Minetruck MT42. The result is a 10-tonne reduction of CO2 emissions per manufactured dump box, the equivalent of taking five gasoline cars out of service for an entire year.
The partnership will help Epiroc accelerate its journey to create a more sustainable future, deliver the world’s greenest machines and support its customers. “Our innovation agenda goes hand in hand with our customers’ sustainability agenda,” said Sami Niiranen, president of Epiroc’s Underground division. “In the shift to a new, low-carbon economy, our products and services will be a key contributor for our customers to meet their climate goals.”
SSAB aims to deliver fossil-free steel to the market in commercial scale during 2026, and delivered the first steel made of hydrogen-reduced iron in 2021. SSAB works with iron ore producer LKAB and energy company Vattenfall in Sweden as part of the HYBRIT initiative to develop a value chain for fossil-free iron- and steel production, replacing coking coal traditionally needed for iron ore-based steelmaking, with fossil-free electricity and hydrogen. This process virtually eliminates carbon dioxide-emissions in steel production.
The battery-electric Minetruck MT42 is a breakthrough for Epiroc’s sustainable innovation. It is a significant step in the company’s ambition to produce cutting-edge, environmentally smart mining equipment. It is emissions-free in operation, generating a strong positive impact on the climate as well as on operators’ work environment and productivity.
“We all play a part in creating a more sustainable future,” said Camilla Goldbeck-Löwe, vice president of Corporate Responsibility at Epiroc. “Our partnership with SSAB has enabled us to present the world’s first underground mine truck made using fossil-free steel.”
Source: Epiroc