We’ve contracted a new fleet of electric equipment on site at Olympic Dam!

BHP has engaged business partner Redpath Mining Australia to undertake our underground support works with a new fleet including the first Utimec XL1100ED Agitator ED in Australia and MF050VC Spraymec, the latest addition to Normet’s technology and hybrid/electric equipment offering.

The Agitator is designed for concrete and shotcrete transportation in underground mines and tunnels. Its mixing and unloading functions can be controlled electrically, so too can the Spraymec’s spraying and hydroscaling functions.

“What sets these machines apart is the ability to operate on electricity instead of diesel while spraying,” said David Johnson, Mine Development Olympic Dam. 

“This makes for a more comfortable operator experience by reducing their exposure to heat, noise and harmful diesel particulate matter (DPM), improving the underground work environment.”

This is a great example of innovative technology being trialled by BHP to find different ways to reduce emissions. The recent trial of a battery electric powered jumbo (Epiroc’s first fully electric drill) has been going well, with the rig being successfully used by the Mine Development team since late 2022. 

These trials also support BHP’s efforts to reduce the reliance on diesel at our operations, and to achieve the medium-term target of reducing operational greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by FY2030.