Manufacturer and service provider Epiroc has partnered with global mining company Vale on what it calls the world’s first Batteries as a Service (BaaS) agreement Canada.

In a release, Epiroc says that the partnership represents an innovative new approach to utilizing battery technology in mining operations. As mining companies strive for sustainable productivity and zero emissions, the fast evolution and development of different options within the field of battery technology can be extremely challenging.

“A key component to the success of this offering is the flexibility it allows our customers,” says Shawn Samuels, product manager Rocvolt, Epiroc Canada. “We take ownership of the battery itself and automatically replace and update the units as needed, which means the mine site can breathe easier and continue to focus on heightened production.”

With batteries as a service, Epiroc works with the customer to define a battery plan that suits the needs of their operation. Epiroc guarantees the lifespan of the batteries, and carefully monitors battery status to ensure predictive maintenance with reduced downtime. Customers can adjust their plan to to increase or decrease capacity and the service will be tailored to meet their requirements.

As part of an ongoing sustainability commitment, Epiroc will remove old batteries from site and replace them. Older batteries are then used for secondary applications and will be recycled at the end of the process.

“Batteries as a service helps our customers benefit from the latest battery technology without having to worry about facilitating upgrades and removals,” says Fredrik Martinsson, head of marketing Rocvolt, Products & Services, Epiroc. “They can focus on their business and we make sure they have all the power they need.”

Along with the service agreement, Epiroc will provide Vale with 10 battery electric vehicles for two Canadian mine sites. These machines will include four Scooptram ST14 loaders, two Boomer M2C drill rigs, two Boltec MC bolting rigs and two Minetruck MT42 trucks.

To complement the new battery fleet, Vale will also add three of Epiroc’s charging cabinets and seven charging posts for equipment support.

“We value and look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Vale as we move towards a zero emissions future in mining together. We both recognize the positive impact a successful battery service implementation can have on operations, so our mutual confidence in one another is well placed,” says Jason Smith, general manager of Epiroc Canada.

Epiroc plans deliver of the battery equipment over the course of 2020 and into the first quarter of 2021.

Epiroc serves customers in the mining, infrastructure and natural resources industries in more than 150 countries. It develops and produces drill rigs, rock excavation and construction equipment, and also offers services and consumables. For more information, visit www.epiroc.us.