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Safescape unveils prototype electric vehicle to the mining industry

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Global Mining Review,


Safescape launched the prototype electric vehicle, the Bortana EV at Mt Cotton Training Centre on 24 May 2019, following a successful exhibition at the Austmine Conference in Brisbane (Australia).

Safescape unveils prototype electric vehicle to the mining industry

During the vehicle launch event, the Safescape team were joined by 3ME Technology, Agrale and METS Ignited to present to mining representatives and interested parties.

The Bortana EV is Safescape’s new electric vehicle designed to challenge the tough conditions of the mining environment. Using the chassis of the diesel powered Agrale Marruá, the Bortana EV is a robust and rugged vehicle with advanced electric technology.

3ME Technology, a Newcastle company dedicated to developing heavy-duty e-mobility solutions provided the electric technology for the Bortana EV. Designed for the mining industry, the EV has advanced opportunistic onboard charging capability and driving functions developed to support mining duties.

3ME Technology CEO Justin Bain said: “Our goal is to provide a safer, smarter and more sustainable system that achieves superior performance. The challenge for this project has been ensuring that the EVmine system meets the highest levels of safety and compliance for Australian mines, which we are excited to have achieved.”

Supporting the Bortana EV during the launch was the Agrale Marruá with both a single cab and a dual cab vehicle on display. The Agrale Marruá is a resilient vehicle traditionally used in the Brazilian army and mining industry. Safescape selected the Marruá chassis for the new Bortana EV due to its corrosion resistant body and ability to withstand the harshest of conditions.

Agrale Sales Manager Marcelo Stringhi said he “stepped on the accelerator and the energy was delivered immediately to the wheels, without wastage, providing a really sporty driving experience” in the Bortana EV.

Attendees got to see firsthand how the Bortana EV and Agrale Marruá handle challenging situations as they rode in the vehicle with Safescape staff through the Mt Cotton Training Centre 4 x 4 course.

The Bortana EV is the result of a collaboration between Safescape and 3ME Technology with support from METS Ignited – the Industry Growth Centre for the mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sector – which provided AUS$500 000 toward the project under its Collaborative Project Funds in 2018.

The Bortana EV a new-age, advanced vehicle that will change the way mine fleets operate. Safescape Managing Director Steve Durkin believes “the Bortana EV will offer the right mix of capability and longevity in the mining environment. The transition from diesel powered vehicles to battery electric vehicles in underground mining provides considerable benefits, not only because of reduced maintenance and higher operating efficiency.”

 

Durkin explained: “[Underground mines will benefit from the Bortana EV as] we believe electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions and have considerably less heat emissions than diesel powered vehicles and this has a positive impact on the working environment underground.

 

“We believe that the Bortana EV will have a lower total cost of ownership than any other comparable production vehicle in the mining environment.”

The Bortana EV will begin a three month trial at Kirkland Lake Gold’s Fosterville gold mine in Central Victoria.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/product-news/03062019/safescape-unveils-prototype-electric-vehicle-to-the-mining-industry/

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Australian mining news Gold mining news Mining truck news