Diesel emissions from mobile equipment, like haul trucks, are Teck’s largest source of direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Because of this, reducing emissions from diesel use is a core part of our plan to become carbon neutral. In light of our access to low-carbon electricity at the majority of our operations, the shift to powering our equipment with electricity – or “electrification” – will serve as a key step towards reducing GHGs.

Understanding the Challenges of Electrification of Mining Equipment

采矿设备的电气化为采矿业提供了降低移动设备排放的机会，但它并非没有挑战。虽然较小，地下采矿设备和较轻的地面车辆的电替代品越来越多，但大型表面采矿车辆的高功率需求和延长的经营时间造成了主要的障碍，即可行移动到电气技术。亚搏体育官方网站app

例如，与柴油运输卡车不同，可以迅速加油，以存放足够的燃料在船上进行24小时几乎连续运行，这种尺寸的电气设备需要长时间的充电时间会影响矿井生产率。这与可用电池系统的较低动力传递相结合，意味着Teck使用的大型电池运输卡车尚未商业上市。

Despite these challenges we remain committed to overcoming these barriers through collaboration across our industry, piloting the latest technology, and ensuring we position ourselves to take advantage of low-carbon technologies as they become available.

与同行协作以加速脱碳

To advance and accelerate the development of low-carbon vehicles, Teck is collaborating with mining peers, mobile equipment manufacturers, transportation suppliers and others. In 2020, we continued our work with the International Council on Mining and Metals’ Innovation for Cleaner, Safer Vehicles initiative. This initiative brings together 27 of the world’s leading mining companies and 19 original equipment manufacturers to develop a technology roadmap for scaling up commercially feasible, low GHG mining equipment. In addition to improving the safety of haul trucks, the initiative has a long-term goal to develop GHG-free surface mining vehicles by 2040.

Piloting Electric Equipment at our Operations

We are also advancing several projects to assess the viability of electric mobile equipment at our sites. In 2020 at our Highland Valley Copper Operations we trialed an electric boom truck designed for underground operation. The trial demonstrated that operation of battery-powered electric equipment can be viable with strategic use of charging strategies. In 2020, we also continued to implement the electric crew bus pilot project at our Elk Valley steelmaking coal operations, where the results have been positive.

“These pilot projects allow operations and employees to develop firsthand experience with the unique operating and maintenance aspects of electric vehicles, which will be critical as we scale up electrification in the coming years,” says Peter Wan, Lead, Technology and Innovation.

Automation and Electrification

As Teck increasingly integrates digital systems and advanced analytics into our operational processes, we also see a growing link between automation and reducing our environmental impacts. For example, automation could create opportunities for us to operate larger fleets of smaller zero-emission vehicles, which could allow for steady production at site while reducing emissions from mobile equipment.

解锁清洁能源的机会

Electrifying our vehicle fleet allows us to take greater advantage of clean, renewable electricity. Our operations in B.C, Canada have access to a 95% clean electricity grid and in Chile we made significant progress in 2020 by increasing the supply of renewable power at our Carmen de Andacollo Operations and our Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 project. Over the long-term, vehicle electrification could more than triple Teck’s total electricity requirements, so our early work in procuring clean energy will help ensure we have an adequate clean supply going forward.

Looking Ahead

As we work towards our goal to be a carbon-neutral operator by 2050, we continue to evaluate new technologies for low-carbon material movement as they become available. Our ongoing collaboration with our peers and mobile equipment suppliers supports bringing these technologies to the mining industry as viable options.

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