TraxIQ, a groundbreaking initiative by Anglo American Plc, a British multinational mining company with headquarters in London, has recently been introduced, aiming to revolutionise conventional quarrying and mining haulage practices. The project is spearheaded by Luke Smith, who serves as the Principal of Technology Development at Anglo American. Collaborating with key team members such as Anglo-American Venture Builder Aljoscha Gleser, TraxIQ is poised to bring innovation to the forefront of the quarrying and mining industries.
Smith asserts that TraxIQ is advancing significantly towards a more intelligent, secure, and environmentally friendly future for the mining and quarrying industry. According to him, idle trucks translate to financial losses, and TraxIQ's autonomous vehicles are poised to alleviate productivity challenges, ensuring sustained profits. Whether in open-pit or underground operations, greenfield or brownfield sites, TraxIQ is actively crafting scalable solutions for the industry.
"We're reimagining mining with modular components, lighter materials, and smart technologies. The result will be a green, low-energy solution that protects the environment — and your bottom line", Luke Smith added.
Earlier this year, a groundbreaking approach to haulage was alluded to during the Bank of America 2023 Smart Mine 4.0 conference. Donovan Waller, the Anglo-American Group Head of Technology Development, pointed out that the mining industry has relied on trucks and shovels for the last century, deeming it the most successful pairing in mining technology. However, he emphasized that despite this success, there remains ample opportunity for further innovation in the field.
Donovan Waller said, “I attribute their success predominantly to flexibility, reliability & scalability. We stepped into this hallowed ground and allowed ourselves a blank sheet exercise to address the shortcomings of mining trucks: cost, speed & energy consumption.”
Anglo-Americans claim to have re-envisioned weight distribution, symmetry, modularity, and design by modifying the foundational operational assumptions of loading. The company collaborated with vehicle designers and tire producers, focusing on utilizing only readily available off-the-shelf components.
"We surprised ourselves and have created a unique alternative value proposition, using the vehicle as a sensor, almost halving the energy used, increasing speed & effectiveness, all at a reduced cost. Whilst still in the early days, we have the makings of a future mining system focused on precision", Waller added.
Anglo-American has extensive experience revolutionising haulage from a powertrain perspective, achieved through a collaborative effort with First Mode, a specialised engineering technology company. Together, they developed the nuGen™ Zero Emissions Haulage Solution, a retrofit Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle design. This innovative solution was successfully deployed on a Komatsu 930E and is currently operational at the Mogalakwena platinum mine in South Africa.
Having recognised the potential of this technology, Anglo-American increased its involvement by becoming the majority shareholder in First Mode. Presently, First Mode is actively working on implementing this cutting-edge technology, including Hybrid Electric Vehicle and Battery Electric Vehicle retrofit solutions. These advancements are not only being applied to Anglo-American fleets. Still, they are also being offered commercially to other interested groups, showcasing a commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly haulage solutions.
The bauxite industry must strategically reconsider its mining processes to embrace innovations and enact transformative changes, fostering a more sustainable future in bauxite exploration. In the contemporary landscape, numerous emerging technologies are being embraced by leading mining entities as they pave the way for a greener and more environmentally conscious future.
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