As MINExpo 2024 kicks off in Las Vegas, Nevada, this week, Caterpillar released a series of product and service advancements.
Automated Energy Transfer
Cat Automated Energy Transfer System. (Cat AETS) uses robotics, vision systems, and control to fully automate the connection between a battery electric machine and a 2- to 6-megawatt stationary charger. AETS replaces the manual process of connecting and disconnecting a charger.
Mine safety is enhanced by removing site personnel from the machine-charging process, which helps move the site to a fully autonomous operation. According to Caterpillar, the system can also reduce downtime and improve the consistency and reliability of the charging process.
Dynamic Energy Transfer
Cat Dynamic Energy Transfer (DET) transfers energy to both diesel-electric and battery-electric mining trucks while they are working around the mine site.
Caterpillar developed the system, which includes a power module that converts energy from the mine site’s power source, and electrified rail system to transmit the energy, and a machine system to transfer energy to the truck’s powertrain.
The rail system is a highly deployable, mobile solution that can be customized to customers’ specific site layouts, including high-speed and curved haul roads, according to Caterpillar. The connecting arm can be installed on either side of a truck and on multiple truck models. It can also be used on mature or developing sites, and it can be easily moved or expanded to allow maximum mine site coverage.
Cat DET will integrate with MineStar Command.
Modular truck platform
Caterpillar is designing a modular Cat 793 haul truck platform with powertrain flexibility, including diesel mechanical, diesel electric, and battery electric options. It is also driving common platform benefits for its ultra class trucks, including diesel electric and battery electric offerings for the 794, 796, and 798 models.
It recently demonstrated its first battery electric 793 prototype in Tuscon, Arizona.
Caterpillar Group President Denise Johnson says, “No matter the powertrain you desire, we will have a solution.
“Designing and supporting machine platforms that drive commonality, modularity and a seamless experience across our product lines is not new to us,” said Denise Johnson, group president, in a statement. “Our large mining trucks are engineered to integrate with the technologies of today and of the future.”
All current diesel electric and battery electric large mining truck platforms are compatible with the Cat DET system.
Precision Mining
Cat Precision Mining is designed to improve and streamline every step of the mining process, from extraction to processing. The initiative will bring everything together as a fully integrated, end-to-end solution that is customized to the mining operation’s specific requirements and unique orebody characteristics.
It will feature a suite of Cat and third-party technologies, including sensors installed across the site’s mobile equipment, processing plant, and other fixed assets, all integrated into the Cat MineStar ecosystem. Leveraging data from Caterpillar, Caterpillar company Peck Tech Consulting Ltd, and collaborating partner technologies from Orica Digital Solutions, IMA Engineering, Stream Systems, Skycatch, Inc., and Information Alignment PTY LTD, the advanced mining solution will help operations more rapidly and precisely adjust their planning activities based on measured orebody variations that are present.
Precision Mining will enable blast plans designed in 3D, while collecting rock property data to help optimize blast designs that accommodate for natural ore-body variations. The intelligent mining solution will gather data related to blast fragmentation, muckpile uniformity, payload, and ore material properties for efficient material handling and assists with making sure the right material gets to the right place, reliably and predictably. Advanced ore sensing and sorting help to ensure consistent and repeatable feedstock is delivered to the mill to offer higher recovery rates, reduced energy costs and less waste.
Key to the Cat Precision Mining initiative is its Intelligent Decision Support System which will leverage the capabilities of Cat MineStar to consolidate Cat and third-party technology and sensor data, allowing miners to make data-driven decisions and continually refine processes. The solution will aggregate, analyze, and report data from across the drilling, blasting, loading and hauling, and processing operations. MineStar Material Management and Reporting will provide ore tracking from mining exploration and extraction processes right through to the finished product and can be utilised for evaluation and future prediction. When layered with Cat Command for hauling, the solution will provide even more consistent and efficient operations and lower operational costs, according to Caterpillar.
