Mine electrification: Status and future potentials

Power input from electrification in mines is becoming an increasingly important factor influencing safety, efficiency and cost reduction. Reliance on fossil and gas-fired electricity accounts for a significant share of mining operating costs, while diesel fuel poses significant environmental and safety concerns. The introduction of electric vehicles and equipment using microgrids powered by renewable energy sources opens up new opportunities for efficient and safe mining operations both underground and on the surface. The use of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, including autonomous vehicles, networked communications and data analytics, contributes to increased safety and productivity at mine sites. Digitalization and automation play an important role in reducing operating costs associated with task concentration and material handling. A successful transition to electric mining requires significant investment in infrastructure, technology, equipment, and cooperation between mine operators, service companies, academic institutions, and government agencies. The availability of skilled workers is also essential. This article aims to identify key challenges in the field of mine electrification and formulate possible approaches to viable solutions.

Vnukov S. A., Kravchenko D. P., Chernov A. A., Rozhkova M. V. Mine electrification: Status and future potentials. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2024;(12-1):316-332. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2024_121_0_316.

S.A. Vnukov¹, Assistant, e-mail: abakan.1998@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0009-0003-6219-519X,
D.P. Kravchenko¹, Assistant, e-mail: kradap@gmail.com,
A.A. Chernov¹, Junior Researcher, e-mail: al-exxxe-y@mail.ru,
M.V. Rozhkova¹, Senior Lecturer, e-mail: rozhkova@mail.ru,
¹ Novosibirsk State Technical University, 630073, Novosibirsk, Russia.

S.A. Vnukov, e-mail: abakan.1998@mail.ru.

1. Semyonov A. S., Bebikhov Y. V., Egorov A. N., Sarvarov A. S., Fedorov O. V. Application of methods for substantiating energy saving measures in power supply systems of mining enterprises. Bulletin of the South Ural state university. Series: Power engineering. 2022, vol. 22(2), pp. 5—17. [In Russ].

2. Simonov B. F., Dybko M. A., Brovanov S. V., Kharitonov S. A. Method of calculation of electromagnetic processes in multilevel semiconductor converters for electrical equipment of the mining industry. Fiziko-tekhnicheskie problemy razrabotki poleznykh iskopaemykh. 2015, no. 2, pp. 97—110. [In Russ].

3. Rylnikova M. V., Klebanov D. A., Makeev M. A., Kadochnikov M. V. Application of artificial intelligence and prospects for the development of analytical systems of big data in the mining industry. Russian Mining Industry Journal. 2022, no. 3, pp. 89—92. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.30686/1609-9192-20223-89-92.

4. Smirnov P. I. Application of the Advisor virtual modeling environment for assessing fuel economy and characteristics of the movement of cars. Sovremennyye materialy, tekhnika i tekhnologii. 2017, no. 7 (15), pp. 92—97. [In Russ].

5. Kubrin S. S., Mosievsky A. A., Zakorshmenny I. M., Reshetnyak S. N., Maksimenko Y. M. Ways to improve the energy efficiency of underground electric networks of high-performance coal mines. Ugol'. 2022, no. 2, pp. 4—9. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.18796/0041-5790-2022-2-4-9.

6. Kolodnitskaya R. V., Kravchenko A. P., Kornikova K. N. The use of biofuel and hydrogen fuel in automobile transport. Avtotraktorostroenie i avtomobil'niy transport. Sbornik nauchnykh trudov, T. 1 [Automotive industry and automobile transport. Collection of scientific papers, vol. 1], Minsk, BNTU, 2021, pp. 141—144. [In Russ].

7. Shuwei Pei, Jue Yang Multi-objective velocity trajectory optimization method for autonomous mining vehicles. International Journal of Automotive Technology. 2023, vol. 24, no. 6, pp. 1627— 1641. DOI: 10.1007/s12239-023-0131-5.

8. Aksenenko V. V. Study of directions for the development of electric dump trucks for the mining industry. Innovatsii v tekhnologiyakh i obrazovanii. Sbornik statey uchastnikov XIV Mezhdunarodnoy nauchno-prakticheskoy konferentsii, T. 1 [Innovations in technology and education. Collection of articles by participants of the XIV International Scientific and Practical Conference, vol. 1], Kemerovo, Izd-vo KuzGTU, 2022, pp. 110—112. [In Russ].

9. Onat N. C., Mandouri J., Kucukvar M. Rebound effects undermine carbon footprint reduction potential of autonomous electric vehicles. Nature Communications. 2023, vol. 114, article 6258. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41992-2.

10. Çelik D., Meral M. E., Waseem M. Investigation and analysis of effective approaches, opportunities, bottlenecks and future potential capabilities for digitalization of energy systems and sustainable development goals. Electric Power Systems Research. 2022, vol. 211, article 108251. DOI: 10.1016/j. epsr.2022.108251.

11. Korneev A., Voronin V. Prospects for trying on active harmonic filters in power supply systems of coal mines. Rossiya molodaya. Sbornik materialov XIII Vserossiyskoy nauchno-prakticheskoy konferentsii s mezhdunarodnym uchastiem [Young Russia. Collection of materials of the XIII All-Russian scientific and practical conference with international participation], Kemerovo, Izd-vo KuzGTU, 2021, pp. 1—6. [In Russ].

12. Heendeniya C. B., Sumper A., Eicker U. The multi-energy system coplanning of nearly zeroenergy districts — Status-quo and future research potential. Applied Energy. 2020, vol. 267, article 114953. DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.114953.

13. Telmanova E. D., Abdrakhmanov I. D. A virtual substation to ensure the reliability of power supply and trouble-free operation of the technological equipment of a mining enterprise. Mining Equipment and Electromechanics. 2024, no. 1, pp. 57—63. [In Russ].

14. Nurdiawati A., Urban F. Towards deep decarbonisation of energy-intensive industries. A review of current status, technologies and policies. Energies. 2021, vol. 14, no. 9, article 2408. DOI: 10.3390/en14092408.

15. Logacheva E. A., Yarosh V. A., Zhdanov V. G., Assonfak A., Belousov V. E. Experience of using thermal imaging diagnostics in the power supply system of Novorossiysk. Sotsial'no-ekonomicheskie i ekologicheskie problemy gornoy promyshlennosti, stroitel'stva i energetiki. Materialy 18-oy Mezhdunarodnoy konferentsii po problemam gornoy promyshlennosti, stroitel'stva i energetiki [Socio-Economic and Environmental Problems of Mining, Construction and Energy. Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Mining, Construction and Energy], Tula, Izd-vo TulGU, 2022, pp. 409—414. [In Russ].

16. Varavin E. V., Kozlova M. V., Kuur O. V., Pestunova G. B. Assessment of the investment attractiveness of the region's industries in the context of green development. Ekonomika regiona. 2023, vol. 19(2), pp. 494—510. [In Russ].

17. Shpiganovich A. N., Shishlin D. I. Elektricheskie mashiny i transformatory sistem elektrosnabzheniya predpriyatiy metallurgicheskoy i gornoy promyshlennosti [Electrical machines and transformers of power supply systems for metallurgical and mining enterprises], Lipetsk, Izd-vo LGTU, 2006, 339 p.

18. Khubieva V. M., Sitnikov O. R. Wireless data transmission system from gas analyzers in the mining industry. Molodezh' v nauke: novye argumenty. Sbornik nauchnykh rabot V mezhdunarodnogo molodezhnogo konkursa, T. 1 [Youth in Science: New Arguments. Collection of scientific papers of the V International Youth Competition, vol. I], Lipetsk, 2016, pp. 216—219. [In Russ].

19. Toshkhodzhaeva M. I., Karimov I. R., Gracheva E. I. Modeling and comparison of the main parameters of the electric power system in normal and emergency modes using the Matlab application. Kazan state power engineering university bulletin. 2021, vol. 13, no. 4 (52), pp. 113—122. [In Russ].

20. Semykina I. Yu., Dubkov E. A., Zavyalov V. M. Justification of criteria for evaluating technical solutions for wireless battery charging systems for mine electric transport. Perspektivy innovatsionnogo razvitiya ugol'nykh regionov Rossii. Sbornik trudov VIII Mezhdunarodnoy nauchno-prakticheskoy konferentsii [Innovative development of coal regions of Russia. Collection of works of the VIII International scientific and practical conference], Prokop'evsk, 2022, pp. 88—93. [In Russ].