| 31 T T Karen Phelps Miner going for green The Hitachi 3600 electric-hydraulic shovel marks a significant step in the company’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. OceanaGold REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT In a move towards sustainable mining practices, OceanaGold has introduced what may be the largest electric vehicle in New Zealand at its Macraes operation in Otago. The recently unveiled Hitachi 3600 electric-hydraulic shovel marks a significant step in the company’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, says company communications manager Kit Wilson. The Honourable Shane Jones, New Zealand Minister for Resources and Minister for Regional Development, attended the dedication ceremony, held in April, along with representatives from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). The EECA provided funding support for the project through its Technology Demonstration Fund, underlining the national importance of this initiative. While electric shovels are not a new concept in the mining industry, with electric rope shovels dating back to the 1920s and electric hydraulic shovels emerging in the 1980s, what sets this machine apart is its power source, says Kit. The Hitachi 3600 at Macraes is powered entirely by renewable energy and in the South Island, where the Macraes Operation is located, the electricity supply is nearly 100% renewable, primarily from hydro sources. “We are on a quest to decarbonise our operations by 30% by 2030 and achieve net zero operational GHG emissions by 2050,” says Alison Paul, senior vice president for legal and public affairs at OceanaGold. “This shovel represents 5% of the site’s 2022 emissions and is equivalent to removing 1,800 internal combustion engine cars off New Zealand roads.” The impressive specifications of the electric shovel were detailed by Macraes mine open pit manager Pieter Doelman. Weighing in at 360 tonnes, the machine boasts a 22-cubic-metre bucket capable of loading a 188-tonne capacity dump truck in just five or six scoops. Its monthly material moving capacity is estimated at around one million tonnes. “The shovel plugs into the national grid via a 6600-volt power supply – there is no battery – and it will reduce emissions by approximately 3600 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent each year,” explains Pieter. The financial implications of the green investment are also noteworthy. While the shovel and its ancillary equipment came with a price tag of US$6 million, OceanaGold expects to see annual cost savings of US$0.5 million, demonstrating that environmental responsibility can go hand-in-hand with economic efficiency. When asked about the choice of a shovel co-figuration over an excavator, Pieter cited cable management as the primary factor. “Excavators have the bucket facing towards the operator and work backwards at the top of the bench. The shovel operates at the bottom of the bench, working forwards. The bucket faces away from the operator, and the trailing cable on an electric shovel is considerably easier to manage and less prone to damage than if it were configured as an excavator,” he explains. Pieter says the introduction of this electric shovel is not an isolated event, but part of a broader culture of innovation at the Macraes mine and within OceanaGold as a whole. “This project is just one of a series of examples of constant innovation we have had here at Macraes mine and also OceanaGold. I’m sure it won’t be the last.”
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