Resource World Magazine

52 www.resourceworld.com J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 1 8 IN 2003, ARTISAN VEHICLES, based in Camarillo, Southern California, began building power train systems for the mili- tary, heavy duty trucks and passengers cars. They refined their power train system over the next several years designing and building electronics, battery power and battery control systems and the overall vehicle controls. Mike Kasaba, CEO of Artisan Vehicles, told Resource World that, in 2010, Artisan had attracted the interest of the min - ing industry. They were approached by Kirkland Lake Gold (KLG) and RDH, a small OEM, to put their power train into vehicles that went to work at KLG's Macassa Mine in northeast Ontario. Kasaba said that, as a result, KLG was able to access a rich ore body that would have otherwise required over a $100 million investment in ventilation infrastructure. Today, about 80% of that mine's ore is pulled out of the ground using Artisan's equipment. In 2016, Artisan Vehicles launched their own mining machine, a four-tonne loader. The machines' design is sleek and futuris - tic looking. Kasaba said, "We did develop a look that was stylish and functional. For instance on our four-tonne machine, we have a curved back that makes the rear significantly lower than where the opera- tor sits which is excellent for visibility. So while the design work is done with an artistic eye, the functionality and the util - ity of that design is our goal." A year later, in 2017, Artisan launched what is still the world's largest battery powered haul truck in terms of under - ground hauling capacity, the 40-tonne Z40. Kasaba explained that there are some larger trucks tethered to trolley lines, but for a battery powered hard rock mining truck, the Z40 is the largest. "We started our design in early 2017 and we launched that all new truck from the ground up design in 12 months," said Kasaba. "We use a lithium iron phosphate chem - istry. We use lithium because the energy density is very good and under high loads it is able to retain its power," said Kasaba. There are other lithium chemistries out there but the chemistry Artisan uses will not ignite should a cell failure occur mak- ing it the safest choice for underground operations. The Z40 battery pack is massive hold - ing 350 kilowatt hours of energy. "The size of charge required is fairly large. Our charge time is one hour for that pack. So that is a 350 kilowatt capable charger in order to charge in one hour. So for some - thing that size we use an off board charge system", said Kasaba. According to him, the feedback has been good with operators reporting that the batteries are long last- ing enabling the trucks to fulfill their daily production duties. Kasaba explained, "One of the things about an electric motor is that for its size it has far more power and torque capabil- ity than a diesel engine. We are able, in a MININGWORLD Artisan Vehicles' next generation mining equipment by Kathrine Moore continued on page 55 Artisan Vehicles' 40-tonne electric underground hauler and four-tonne electric underground loader. Photo courtesy of Artisan Vehicles.

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