Electric shovels offer several significant advantages over diesel shovels in the mining industry:
Zero emissions at the point of use, allowing for their use in poorly ventilated indoor environments and reducing the environmental impact. This is particularly important in underground mines.
Substantially reduced noise, improving operator comfort and communication.
Lower operating costs due to less frequent maintenance and fuel savings. Return on investment can be achieved in as little as 6 to 8 years for an electric mini excavator.
Equivalent or superior power compared to diesel models, with electric motors offering up to 33% more power.
Sufficient autonomy for a normal workday, with 6 to 8 hours of continuous operation.
Optimized loading thanks to features like automatic excavation.
While there are still challenges to overcome, such as battery packaging and thermal management, electric shovels are clearly an advantageous choice for mining, offering high performance with zero local emissions.