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EcoHoist and ABB sign Joint Development Agreement
DATE: November 21, 2024
Above: Preliminary designs of the EcoHoist 30% scale demonstrator, which will transport ore around in a closed circuit to demonstrate the equipment’s capability.
EcoHoist has signed a Joint Development Agreement with ABB, which outlines how the parties will collaborate on the development of EcoHoist’s low capex hoisting technology.
The Joint Development Agreement focuses on the design and construction of a 30% scale demonstration of the EcoHoist vertical bucket elevator. The agreement manages how intellectual property developed during the project will be handled, and outlines the roles, responsibilities and contributions of the parties.
The EcoHoist 30% scale demonstrator will be a full system demonstration of EcoHoist’s vertical bucket elevator, and will have buckets at approximately 30% of the size of those that will eventually be used in the EcoHoist product. The demonstrator will be capable of hoisting material at a nominal rate of 50 tonnes per hour and will be mechanically loaded to represent a hoisting elevation of 300 metres. This project aims to demonstrate EcoHoist’s capability in delivering equipment with the necessary availability and reliability required for its use to electrify and decarbonise deep underground mines.
The agreement puts further emphasis on the ambition of ABB and EcoHoist to improve on traditional vertical hoisting systems by substantially reducing the size of the required mine shaft, leading to reduced capital cost and construction time compared to skip hoist systems.
“The mining industry globally is poised for a sustainability step-change and ABB is excited to work with EcoHoist in support of new technologies in this journey,” says @Björn Jonsson, Global Business Line Manager, Hoisting at ABB.
“I look forward to continuing to work with Björn, Aaron and other talented people at ABB”, says @Matthew Forrest, Managing Director of EcoHoist. “ABB’s proven track record delivering electrical drive, automation and safety systems to the resources industry provides strong synergies with EcoHoist.”
About EcoHoist: EcoHoist’s mission is to decarbonise underground mines by providing a commercially compelling alternative to diesel haul trucks. Headquartered in Adelaide, Australia, EcoHoist was founded by a team of engineers intent on solving worthwhile problems. EcoHoist’s team has expertise covering mechanical, electrical and mining engineering. EcoHoist has a patent pending which protects their proprietary technology from replication.
About ABB: ABB stands as the global market leader in complete mine hoist systems, having successfully delivered over one thousand systems to the worldwide underground mining industry. As the technology leader in mine hoisting, ABB is committed to retaining its market position, advancing the lifecycle service business, and fostering partnerships with complementary and value-adding technologies.
