Hitachi Construction Machinery is partnering with ABB to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are emitted from heavy mining machinery.
The agreement is formed in the view of achieving net zero emissions from the machinery, with both companies sharing their expertise and development commercial solutions.
The two companies will apply ABB’s electrification, automation and digital solutions to Hitachi mining trucks and excavators, where the latter will bring its experience in driverless operations.
ABB global head of mining Max Luedtke said that electrification of trucks required a working relationship between OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and mining companies.
“Nobody can achieve this transformation alone. Co-creation of solutions with OEMs and mining companies is needed to successfully integrate electrification in mines,” Luedtke said.
The collaboration with Hitachi is just one of the partnerships that ABB aims to develop with OEMs.
“ABB is calling for more collaboration between OEMs and technology companies to fast-track the development of new emissions-reducing systems with electrification and automation of the whole mining operation the goal,” ABB division president, process industries, Joachim Braun, said.
“We are ready to work more with OEMs to establish a common approach for the market, and through strategic collaboration provide solutions that can help enable a low-carbon society and make mining operations more responsible.”
The collaboration is built on ABB’s 130 years of experience in the mining industry and in delivering full electrification, automation and a digital suite of products.
This includes ABB Ability MineOptimise, which contains connected solutions that are improving energy efficiency, productivity and optimisation of expenditures of open pit and underground mines.
Hitachi Construction Machinery president of mining group, senior vice president and executive officer, Sonosuke Ishii, said the collaboration would enable the two companies to more effectively work towards their shared vision for mining.
“We are delighted to be collaborating with ABB as we continue to invest our efforts in introducing eco-friendly technologies and systems for the mining industry,” Ishii concluded.