EcoHoist and ABB sign joint development agreement

The joint development agreement focuses on the design and construction of a 30% scale demonstration of the EcoHoist vertical bucket elevator. The agreement manages how intellectual property developed during the project will be handled, and outlines the roles, responsibilities, and contributions of the parties.

The EcoHoist 30% scale demonstrator will be a full system demonstration of EcoHoist’s vertical bucket elevator, and will have buckets at approximately 30% of the size of those that will eventually be used in the EcoHoist product. The demonstrator will be capable of hoisting material at a nominal rate of 50 t per hour and will be mechanically loaded to represent a hoisting elevation of 300 m. This project aims to demonstrate EcoHoist’s capability in delivering equipment with the necessary availability and reliability required for its use to electrify and decarbonise deep underground mines.

The agreement puts further emphasis on the ambition of ABB and EcoHoist to improve on traditional vertical hoisting systems by substantially reducing the size of the required mine shaft, leading to reduced capital cost and construction time compared to skip hoist systems.

“The mining industry globally is poised for a sustainability step-change and ABB is excited to work with EcoHoist in support of new technologies in this journey,” said Björn Jonsson, Global Business Line Manager, Hoisting at ABB.

“I look forward to continuing to work with Björn, Aaron and other talented people at ABB”, added Matthew Forrest, Managing Director of EcoHoist. “ABB’s proven track record delivering electrical drive, automation, and safety systems to the resources industry provides strong synergies with EcoHoist.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/technology-digitalisation/22112024/ecohoist-and-abb-sign-joint-development-agreement/