BHP is partnered with Austmine to develop solutions to tough mining challenges, and develop an Innovation Hub that creates opportunities for suppliers, and supports the development of new technologies.
BHP, Rio Tinto and Vale, have come together as Founding Patrons to use the Innovation Hub to define and promote the Charge On Innovation Challenge, in order to develop effective solutions for mine electrification and decarbonisation.
The Charge On Innovation Challenge asks Vendors to present interoperable solutions that can safely deliver electricity to large battery-electric off-road haul trucks in a way that maintains or improves current productivity levels. Specifically, we want mechanisms capable of delivering in the order of 400kWh of electricity to each truck within a haul cycle (ie load, travel, dump, return, queue). The delivered electricity is to charge a battery, and if applicable directly propel the truck.