Mining industry going electric

TEN electric mining vehicles have been developed in Bendigo and are set to be dispatched to mines across Australia next month.

Mining innovation company Safescape started its Bortana EV project three years ago using chassis imported from Brazil and batteries from New South Wales-based 3ME Technologies.

General manager Allison Deadman said the electric vehicles have been designed to alleviate safety issues associated with underground mines.

“There’s a risk to miners’ health in terms of diesel particulates underground with all the vehicles and mining equipment currently being used,” she said.

“The move to electric vehicles is about miners’ safety, being able to decrease some costs in ventilation, and remove those diesel particulates from the environment.

“There’s a real push in the industry to make those improvements and to look at sustainability as well.”

Safescape has been operating since 2010 and is known across for its Laddertube product, an escapeway system for underground mines.

Ms Deadman said since moving into the vehicle space, the company has been seeking to changing the way mine fleets operate.

The 10 vehicles will be monitored over the next six months, with full production expected to start by the end of the year.

Ms Deadman said the project brings with it local employment opportunities, with the vehicles’ wiring harnesses built by Jayce Engineering, bracketry sourced locally, and all software development done on Safescape’s Golden Square site.

The company has also been collaborating with La Trobe University and Bendigo Tech School, and Ms Deadman said when full production begins those partnerships will help bring new employees to the electric vehicle space.

“We’ve got mechanics here, automotive engineers and software designers,” she said. “Being able to attract people to this region is important to us.

“Our exposure to La Trobe and Bendigo Tech School means potentially people coming here, and us being able to employ people with those specialities.”

Safescape will bring their most up to date Bortana EV prototype to the Bendigo Sustainability Festival on 27 March.