ABB and Hitachi Construction Machinery have agreed to work together to develop electric, automated and digital solutions for mining trucks and excavators.
Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU), Hitachi Construction Machinery will use its trucks and excavators for the collaboration, while ABB will aim to implement its electrification, automation and digital solutions.
The goal of the MoU is to lessen the impact of greenhouse gas emissions produced by heavy mining machinery.
Hitachi will also use its innovations in driverless operations under the MoU, with the combined solutions also striving to improve customer efficiencies and flexibilities.
ABB division president, process industries Joachim Braun said the company was pushing for OEMs to accelerate emissions-reducing technology development.
“ABB is calling for more collaboration between OEMs and technology companies to fast-track the development of new emissions-reducing systems with electrification and automation of the whole mining operation the goal,” he said.
“We are ready to work more with OEMs to establish a common approach for the market, and through strategic collaboration provide solutions that can help enable a low-carbon society and make mining operations more responsible.
“New emissions-reducing technologies can transform the energy-intensive mining industry to achieve an even more productive, but also sustainable future.”
ABB’s digital, automated and electric solutions can be delivered to all stages of a mining operation.
The company believes collaboration with OEMs and mining companies is the only way for the industry to integrate electrification.
Hitachi president of mining group, senior vice president and executive officer Sonosuke Ishii welcomed the collaboration.
“This collaboration will enable the two companies to more effectively work towards our shared vision for mining,” he said.
“We are delighted to be collaborating with ABB as we continue to invest our efforts in introducing eco-friendly technologies and systems for the mining industry.”
The MoU was signed by Braun and Ishii on March 22.