The Sandvik TH665B battery electric truck, which features an unrivalled 65-tonne payload capacity has landed in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. The truck will be showcased at the St Barbara’s Day Parade on the first weekend in December.
Barminco and AngloGold Ashanti Australia will then trial the truck at the Sunrise Dam gold mine to prove its viability in a long ramp haulage application before commercial production of Sandvik TH665B is expected to commence in late 2024.
Sandvik is continuing to execute on its BEV strategy by expanding its product line of batteryelectric trucks and loaders to include both larger and smaller size classes. The Sandvik TH665B is engineered to improve productivity, sustainability and cost efficiency in bulk mining operations.
Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions Business Development Manager Daniel Yearn said with more than 50 years’ experience in the design and manufacture of underground mining equipment, we’re proud to continue to lead the way in helping customers embrace more sustainable solutions.
“Our 65-tonne battery-electric truck is our latest development in helping hard rock miners and contractors to make the shift towards more productive, emission-free mining,” he said.
The Sandvik TH665B blends proven Sandvik design and advanced technology built around electric drivelines and battery systems. Due to an extremely efficient electric driveline, a fully loaded Sandvik TH665B is expected to be up to 30 per cent faster on a 1:7 ramp than a comparable conventional diesel underground truck. Each of the truck’s four wheels is equipped with independent drives, resulting in a simpler driveline, improved overall efficiency and maximum power output. The Sandvik TH665B electric drivetrain delivers 640kW of continuous power, enabling high acceleration and fast ramp speeds.
The truck is equipped with Sandvik’s patented self-swapping battery system, including the AutoSwap and AutoConnect functions, which enables a quick and easy battery swap in a matter of minutes, and without any major infrastructure like overhead cranes or other heavy handling equipment. The Sandvik TH665B also features a new battery lifting system for improved reliability and the battery cage has been redesigned to improve serviceability, enabling battery module changes without the need to remove the battery packs from the battery cage.
The new operator cabin utilises the same design as the industry leading cabin of Sandvik’s Toro™ TH663i underground truck. The cabin offers premium operator ergonomics with a significant number of adjustment possibilities to facilitate a comfortable operating environment.
The central oscillation frame design results in improved stability, and the front axle suspension ensures a smooth ride on rough roads. The Sandvik TH665B cabin is equipped with joystick steering, large touchscreen colour display and the newest control system, providing easy access to equipment data.
