The first stage of the project has already been completed and the results of the Australian consultancy's research have been received
Ferrexpo, an iron ore company with assets in Ukraine and listed on the London Stock Exchange, plans to electrify mining transport in three of the Group's companies.
This was stated by Yuriy Khymych CEO of Belanovo Mining and leader of Ferrexpo's corporate social responsibility projects in Ukraine, in an interview with Compraço.
“The war slightly adjusted our decarbonization plans, but our strategy remains unchanged. In fact, last year I led a team that implemented a project to electrify quarry transport in three companies in the Group», he comments.
The first phase of the project has now been completed and research results have been received from an Australian consultancy company, which recommends consistent electrification measures for the three quarries.
The electrification of transport in quarries is a Ferrexpo project that is linked to the company's strategy to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve emissions neutrality by 2050. In particular, the company is considering the possibility of being the first in Ukraine to launch 300-ton mining dump trucks and install pantographs on dump trucks. Ferrexpo believes this will allow them to significantly reduce carbon emissions.
«We are currently analyzing the Australian report and have already identified a pilot area for the implementation of the mining transport electrification project. Ferrexpo experts are modeling several scenarios. We are also working with ABB to develop a conceptual design and equipment specifications for the project,” Khymych added.
In total, the company plans to electrify 14 kilometers of tracks at the open pit mines of Poltava Mining, Yeristovo Mining and Belanovo Mining.
«If we fully follow the recommendations of Australian consultants, over the next 10 years, we can expect to save more than 400 million dollars in operating costs and reduce carbon emissions by 526 thousand tons. We have already taken a significant step and we continue to move in this direction”, summarizes the CEO of Belanovo Mining.
Ferrexpo recently opened a filtration and concentrate storage area in the crushing and processing plant (CPP) of the Poltava Mining and Processing Plant. The project was implemented as part of Ferrexpo's strategic development program, which aims to double iron ore pellet production to 24 million tonnes per year.
