Stay competitive with cutting-edge mobile mining solutions
We are your partner for reliable system solutions
Siemens Mobile Mining serves the mining and construction industries. Our current portfolio comprises electrical drive systems for dump trucks, excavators and loaders. We create sustainable value for our customers based on proven, reliable technology – know-how that has been compiled in more than 100 years of Siemens Mining experience. Siemens Mobile Mining combines innovative, customized system solutions for open pit and underground mining vehicles with worldwide after-sales support.
Move mountains with efficient mobile solutions for the mining industry
How do you stay competitive in today’s mining business, while ensuring safe and reliable mining operations? To meet this challenge, Siemens offers you highly efficient, reliable, and safe solutions and innovative technology for a broad range of mining trucks, excavators, and loaders.Get your business moving – with world-class mobile mining solutions
SIMINE Truck – for open pit mining trucks
Electrification of open pit mining trucks
Since more than 20 years, Siemens Mobile Mining offers electric truck drive systems for some of the most powerful mining trucks that are currently available on the global mining market. The portfolio ranges from drive systems for 90t Trucks up to 450t Trucks.
The drive systems for these trucks normally consist of two electric motors that are integrated through gears into the rear wheels of the trucks, an electric generator and a powerful diesel engine. Converter and specialized software complement this hardware set to a typically integrated system which can be found in almost 1,000 Siemens equipped haul trucks of different size and origin in the global mining industry.
Truck drive systems based on Siemens IGBT converter technology provide high torque and enable the vehicle to accelerate fast when carrying heavy loads or driving on soft roads, even from a standstill. As a result of the high power output excellent electric braking characteristic are also provided by the drive system in order to reduce wear and tear on the mechanical brake.
The currently world’s largest mining truck with a payload capacity of 450 metric tons is equipped with a Siemens drive system. It provides 4800 kW Power to accelerate and decelerate the Truck safely by increased productivity. Proven traction motors and ingenious converter technology as well as sophisticated control tools and innovative remote monitoring devices enable maximized system performance and minimized total ownership cost.
To achieve highest possible haul performance, the Siemens e-drive system channels all available diesel-engine power efficiently to the electric driven wheels. With higher engine power utilization compared to pure mechanical drives, Siemens e-drive trucks pull hard at stall to move away from the shovel, accelerate on grade up the ramp and propel the giants to their maximum speed.
SIMINE open-pit mining truck technology – your benefits
Siemens AC drives are more reliable and more efficient than DC drive systems, which leads to higher productivity and less downtime. In addition, AC driven trucks cause less maintenance expenditures which enable truck operators and mining companies to minimize total cost of ownership.
Enhanced control techniques and software features guarantee operational safety and drive system efficiency. In addition, the systems are designed to be both intrinsically secure and environmentally friendly. Furthermore, using trolley assist systems, the electric drive system consumes significantly less fuel, runs with higher efficiency and drastically reduces exhaust and noise emissions.
SIMINE truck drive systems provide high tractive forces at stall and enable the truck to move quickly, even on ramps, to transport more material in less time. Mining companies value mobile mining equipment that in terms of reliability, cost and efficiency performs above average and therefore invest particularly in excavation and transportation technologies which meet their increased production demands best.
Integrated drive systems meet these particular requirements in an optimal way as individual system components are matched to each other. Siemens integrated drive systems improve the truck performance through precisely integrated motors, traction drives, control systems and gearboxes.
SIMINE Truck – for trolley assisted trucks
Advances in electric-drive haul truck technology over the past 30 years have been remarkable. Siemens is one of the leading suppliers for AC drive systems and at the same time technology driver with enhanced knowledge and experience of applications for truck trolley technology.
The characteristics of trolley assisted drive systems allow it to use electric power provided by overhead lines in order to overcome and to eliminate the performance limitations and cost-intensive operations of diesel-engine power. By tapping into overhead electric lines, the trolley assisted drive system can boost the speed of the truck by up to 80 percent, enabling emission-free operation of the mining trucks in open-pit mines.
This is economically and environmentally viable in those parts of the world where electrical power can be generated inexpensively and in connection with comparable low carbon dioxide emissions. Truck trolley systems, which simply substitute electricity for diesel fuel, offer a number of persuasive benefits.
SIMINE trolley-assisted truck technology – your benefits
The benefits of truck trolley technology qualify them as a genuine alternative to pure diesel mechanical or diesel electric trucks in terms of efficiency and eco-friendliness. Long transport ways and steep grades in open-pit mines present an excellent opportunity for trolley assisted haulage. The thoughtful application of this technology leads not only to significant reduction of fuel costs and sustainable environmentally friendly operations of truck fleets, but also to a series of further advantages, such as:
- Increased production capacity of the mine and a reduced number of trucks due to higher speed of the trucks on a trolley system (better fleet utilization)
- Greater accessibility in the deeper parts of the mine. The trucks under trolley power are able to achieve higher gradients and operate at full load for longer periods
- Reduction of maintenance costs on the trucks, particularly on the diesel engine, which would normally suffer the greatest wear while operating at full load only while on the ramp
- Increased availability and decreased life cycle costs for the diesel engine due to less operating hours
SIMINE Truck – for underground mining (UG) trucks
Electrification of UG trucks
The provision of electrical drive systems for underground mining trucks is part of a strategy which Siemens Mobile Mining pursues within the latest enhanced developments in the field of electro-mobility. Typically, these trucks are able to carry bulk material with a payload capacity of 20 to 65 metric ton per truck.
Siemens engineers are currently working on developing a highly efficient electric drive system portfolio for underground mining vehicles. At the heart of these systems are electric components, which have been successfully used for many years in a number of applications in open-pit mines.
The first solution for a drive system is being implemented in an articulated underground truck with a payload capacity of 60 tons. In this particular application, four motors are used, each one driving one wheel. Among other advantages, the architecture of this system enables to control the speed and torque of each wheel precisely. As a consequence, additional features are available like advanced slip/slide control and electrically supported steering, which allow more precise turns and lead to reduced tire wear.
SIMINE underground mining truck technology – your benefits
The application of diesel-electric trucks creates more favorable environmental conditions for machine operators and mine personnel in underground mines. This is a direct result of less heat and exhaust from diesel engines. Enhanced use of electrical drive systems for underground haulage will allow reducing the costs for mine ventilation significantly. This is the more of importance as mine ventilation systems normally operate without interruptions throughout the life time of a mine and account for approximately one third of the total energy costs of a underground mine operation.
In addition, trucks with diesel-electric drive systems are faster than diesel-mechanical trucks because the total efficiency of the diesel-electric drive system is higher. Another advantage is higher productivity. Faster speeds allow shorter cycle times of the vehicles, from the loading point of the truck to the unloading point and back, which means that more material can be transported in a given time. Productivity thereby gets a boost.
SIMINE Excavator – for shovels
Electrification and automation of shovel excavators
In today’s mining environment, it takes more than yesterday’s technology to safely move the most material for the lowest cost per ton. For nearly 50 years, mining OEMs have trusted Siemens to leverage emerging technology to help them to do just that. These technologies have been introduced into our AC drive systems for electric Rope Shovels constantly.
Technologies include:
- operator assist features/autonomy
- energy storage
- digitalization
- equipment health monitoring
Mines must look for the lowest costs per ton of material moved to remain profitable. This means moving the highest possible payload per hour while minimizing operating costs over the lifetime of the machine. Reliability is the harsh open pit mining is of utmost priority. Power distribution systems in open pit mining are often weak and overloaded resulting in high voltage fluctuations at the shovel terminals. Electrical machine availability of >98% with a high MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) and low MTTR (Mean Time To Repair) is expected. Finally, many mines are located in very remote areas such as the Andes Mountains, the Tar Sands of northern Canada or the deserts of Africa or central Australia.
SIMINE Shovel is our drive and automation solution for complete range of electric mining shovels and currently used on 10 m³ to 70 m³ equipment. Combining nearly 50 years of Siemens AC mining shovel drive experience with IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) technology guarantees the most reliable shovel solution with higher productivity and lower operating costs. Due to the mining shovels’ AC drives, they are able to operate faster than their counterparts with DC drives. AC induction motors allow higher stall torque, faster acceleration and higher speeds in field weakening. This results in a larger area under speed/torque curve and shorter machine cycle times. The AC squirrel cage induction motor is essential in reducing cycle time and in cutting maintenance costs. AC motors, unlike DC motors, have no brushes or commutators to wear out or to be maintained. IGBT power and digital SIBAS control modules require no routine maintenance. They come from our traction equipment line and are built to meet traction and mining specifications. The modules are interchangeable between motions, as well as different machine models. We are supporting our customers to keep all these benchmark values high over the life of the machine. There is not a more reliable system on the market.
SIMINE Excavator – for draglines
Electrification and digitalization of draglines
Many of the operating mining draglines have been powered by M-G (motor generator) sets, century old technology. Siemens offers modernization solutions to replace the inefficient M-G set technology that uses highly maintenance commutators and carbon brushes, which increases downtime and operating costs. AC motors, unlike DC motors, have no brushes or commutators to wear out or to be maintained.
Since nearly 40 years, Siemens Mobile Mining offers AC electrical systems for mining draglines with bucket capacities ranging from 25 m³ to 116 m³. SIMINE Dragline is our electrical system solution for mining draglines. SIMINE Dragline offers fuseless power systems that combine reliable electronics and controls proven in thousands of Siemens-powered locomotives and AC mining shovels. IGBT power and digital SIBAS control modules require no routine maintenance. They come from our traction equipment line and are built to meet traction and mining specifications. The modules are interchangeable between motions, as well as different machine models. We are supporting our customers to keep all these benchmark values high over the life of the machine. There is not a more reliable system on the market.
SIMINE Dragline offers drop-in AC motors and modern technology fuseless AC drive systems. These drive systems operate with multiple staggered AFEs to reduce line harmonics and line voltage fluctuations on mine network. Innovation, efficiency, productivity, and reliability are key elements in our extensive mining portfolio. Siemens is proud to be your partner in mining, where your requirements are met with our technology.
SIMINE Loader – for wheel loaders
Electrification of wheel loaders
Siemens Mobile Mining equips vehicles dedicated to open pit and hard-rock underground mining with electric drive systems. Being integral part of most mine operations and operating with frequent speed and direction changes, wheel loaders are specifically suitable for those electric drive systems.
Existing wheel loaders are typically propelled by a Diesel engine, coupled to a mechanical or hydraulical drive train. This solution only offers limited system efficiency and does not allow for energy recuperation. This feature is especially important for wheel loaders, as they offer a huge energy recuperation potential due to their cyclic operational characteristics.
Siemens Mobile Mining aims at overcoming these limitations by introducing SIMINE Loader drive solutions, optimized for usage in wheel loaders. These electric drive systems feature efficient Diesel-electric operation as well as emission-free battery electric driving. The modular drive systems consist of electric components, which have been specifically designed to withstand the harsh ambient conditions typical for a mining environment.
Diesel-electric SIMINE Loaders transfer the electric energy from the generator via Active Front End Technology (AFE) to the DC link. Applying this solution allows for energy-recuperation back to the engine or to an energy storage and thus low energy consumption.
Battery-powered SIMINE Loaders use IGBT DC/DC converters for discharging and charging the batteries and thus utilize the energy content most efficiently.
Out of the DC link, powerful IGBT inverters supply the currents to the high-torque induction or permanent magnet synchronous motors. The inverters in combination with a smart control system insuring a smooth operation without shift shocks by providing high tractive forces.
SIMINE wheel loader technology – your benefits
SIMINE Loader solutions boast optimum efficiency as well as best-in-class ruggedness and reliability. Specific attention has been paid to optimize the loading of the bucket by enabling high tractive forces over sufficient time. Thus the operator is able to achieve optimum bucket fill factors regardless of the composition and consistency of the material.
Electric SIMINE Loader are faster than hydraulic or mechanic loaders because the total efficiency of the electric drive system is higher. Another advantage is higher productivity. Faster speeds allows for shorter cycle times of the vehicles, from the loading to the unloading point and back, which means that more material can be transported in a given time.
Within electric loaders energy recuperation can be used during each and every retardation phase, significantly reducing overall energy demand and contributing to reduced TCO.
SIMINE Loader – for load haul dump (LHD) machines
Electrification of LHD machines for underground mining
Siemens Mobile Mining equips vehicles dedicated to hard-rock underground mining with electric drive systems. Due to their unique operating characteristics, load haul dump machines, LHD, are specifically suitable for electric drive systems. LHDs operate globally in numerous underground mines, transporting ore from the muck pile to chutes, shafts or crushers. Existing electric LHDs operate on a trail cable, using a fixed-speed induction motor and hydraulic drives. This solution only offers limited system efficiency and does not allow for energy recuperation back to the mine grid.
Siemens Mobile Mining aims at overcoming these limitations by introducing SIMINE LHD – drive solutions, optimized for usage in LHDs. These full electric drive systems are able to power cable-driven LHDs as well as battery electric LHDs. The modular drive systems consist of electric components, which have been specifically designed to withstand the harsh ambient conditions typical for a mining environment.
- Cable-powered SIMINE LHDs are connected to the mine grid via a transformer. From there on, the AC voltage is transferred using Siemens’ proven Active Front End Technology (AFE) to the DC link. Applying this solution allows for energy-recuperation to the mine grid and thus low energy consumption.
- Battery-powered SIMINE LHDs use IGBT DC/DC converters for discharging and charging the batteries and use the energy content most efficiently.
Out of the DC link, powerful IGBT inverters supply the currents to the motors. High-torque permanent magnet synchronous technology in combination with single-speed transmissions enables high tractive forces and smooth operation without shift shocks.
SIMINE LHD machine technology – your benefits
SIMINE LHD solutions boast optimum efficiency as well as best-in-class ruggedness and reliability. Specific attention has been paid to optimize the loading of the bucket by enabling high tractive forces over sufficient time. Thus the operator is able to achieve optimum bucket fill factors regardless of the composition and consistency of the material.
The application of full electric LHDs creates more favorable environmental conditions for machine operators and mine personnel in underground mines. This is a direct result of less heat generation due to the highly efficient drive system. Furthermore, full electric drive systems do not generate any particulate or gaseous emissions. So enhanced use of electrical drive systems for underground haulage will allow reducing the costs for mine ventilation significantly. This is the more of importance as mine ventilation systems normally operate without interruptions throughout the life time of a mine and account for approximately one third of the total energy costs of a underground mine operation.
In addition, LHDs with full-electric drive systems are faster than hydraulic LHDs because the total efficiency of the electric drive system is higher. Another advantage is higher productivity. Faster speeds allows for shorter cycle times of the vehicles, from the loading to the unloading point and back, which means that more material can be transported in a given time.
