1
24-020
Concerns with the Environmental Susceptibility of Mine Utility
Vehicle and Rubber-tired Mantrip LITHIUM-ion Batteries
D.S. Yantek
CDC NIOSH, Pittsburgh, PA
C.B. Brown
CDC NIOSH, Pittsburgh, PA
ABSTRACT
The mining industry is beginning to implement lithium-
ion batteries (LIBs) to power mine utility vehicles (MUVs)
and rubber-tired mantrips (RTMs). However, the ability of
LIBs to withstand the harsh conditions for these applica-
tions has not been rigorously evaluated. Concerns with the
use of LIBs in the mining environment will be discussed
including the effects of mechanical shock and vibration,
temperature extremes, and moisture exposure. This paper
will discuss adverse effects of the mining environment on
LIBs and provide an overview of scientific gaps associated
with the environmental susceptibility of LIBs used on
MUVs and RTMs.
INTRODUCTION
Several mining vehicle manufacturers currently sell or plan
to sell battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) powered by lithium-
ion batteries (LIBs). Manufacturers of large BEVs that
use LIBs and their battery suppliers have engineered LIB
systems for such vehicles. After acquiring Artisan Vehicle
Systems, Sandvik offers a truck and a few loaders pow-
ered by LIBs [1]. The model TH550B truck has a battery
capacity of 354 kWh and the TH514BE and TH518B
loaders have capacities of 74 kWh and 353 kWh, respec-
tively. Each Sandvik vehicle uses lithium-iron-phosphate
(LFP) LIBs [2]. Epiroc has partnered with Northvolt [3]
to deliver several load-haul-dump vehicles. The ST7 model
uses a 165-kWh Artisan LIB made with LFP cells [4].
The ST14SG and ST18SG models use Northvolt’s pro-
prietary Lingonberry NMC cells with capacities of 300
kWh and 450 kWh, respectively [5]. Komatsu sells several
underground scoops including the 02ESV36 with a 158-
kWh LIB, the 02ESV56 with a 214.8-kWh LIB, and the
02ESV60 with a 286-kWh LIB [6]. Caterpillar uses batter-
ies from Lithos Energy, Inc.[7, 8]. Lithos Energy, Inc. does
not explicitly state the battery chemistry it uses, but due to
claims of higher energy density of 170 Wh/kg and lower
cycle life of 500–1,500 cycles, it is likely that the company
uses NMC chemistry [9]. Recently, Siemens has patented a
mobile mining truck that utilizes LTO cells [10].
Recently, a group of NIOSH researchers have had mul-
tiple discussions with various mining industry personnel
regarding LIB-powered mine utility vehicles (MUVs) and
rubber-tired mantrips (RTMs). While large LIB-powered
BEVs have been engineered specifically for the application,
the lead-acid batteries on smaller vehicles such as MUVs
and RTMs could be swapped out for commercially avail-
able LIBs that are not designed to withstand the harsh min-
ing environment. Some underground coal mines have been
switching their outby MUVs from traditional batteries to
LIBs. Some of these vehicles use 6V or 12V automotive-
type batteries. Other mines have reportedly begun working
with RTM manufacturers on LIB-powered vehicles. One of
the concerns with using LIBs in these applications is that
there are currently no guidelines for installing LIBs in these
vehicles. Even though these are outby vehicles, a LIB ther-
mal runaway (TR) in the outby area of an underground
coal mine would be problematic because the surrounding
coal could catch on fire. Mines from other sectors also use
these types of vehicles. Because off-the-shelf automotive-
type LIBs can be easily retrofitted into such vehicles, MUV
and RTM manufacturers and mines could easily swap out
24-020
Concerns with the Environmental Susceptibility of Mine Utility
Vehicle and Rubber-tired Mantrip LITHIUM-ion Batteries
D.S. Yantek
CDC NIOSH, Pittsburgh, PA
C.B. Brown
CDC NIOSH, Pittsburgh, PA
ABSTRACT
The mining industry is beginning to implement lithium-
ion batteries (LIBs) to power mine utility vehicles (MUVs)
and rubber-tired mantrips (RTMs). However, the ability of
LIBs to withstand the harsh conditions for these applica-
tions has not been rigorously evaluated. Concerns with the
use of LIBs in the mining environment will be discussed
including the effects of mechanical shock and vibration,
temperature extremes, and moisture exposure. This paper
will discuss adverse effects of the mining environment on
LIBs and provide an overview of scientific gaps associated
with the environmental susceptibility of LIBs used on
MUVs and RTMs.
INTRODUCTION
Several mining vehicle manufacturers currently sell or plan
to sell battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) powered by lithium-
ion batteries (LIBs). Manufacturers of large BEVs that
use LIBs and their battery suppliers have engineered LIB
systems for such vehicles. After acquiring Artisan Vehicle
Systems, Sandvik offers a truck and a few loaders pow-
ered by LIBs [1]. The model TH550B truck has a battery
capacity of 354 kWh and the TH514BE and TH518B
loaders have capacities of 74 kWh and 353 kWh, respec-
tively. Each Sandvik vehicle uses lithium-iron-phosphate
(LFP) LIBs [2]. Epiroc has partnered with Northvolt [3]
to deliver several load-haul-dump vehicles. The ST7 model
uses a 165-kWh Artisan LIB made with LFP cells [4].
The ST14SG and ST18SG models use Northvolt’s pro-
prietary Lingonberry NMC cells with capacities of 300
kWh and 450 kWh, respectively [5]. Komatsu sells several
underground scoops including the 02ESV36 with a 158-
kWh LIB, the 02ESV56 with a 214.8-kWh LIB, and the
02ESV60 with a 286-kWh LIB [6]. Caterpillar uses batter-
ies from Lithos Energy, Inc.[7, 8]. Lithos Energy, Inc. does
not explicitly state the battery chemistry it uses, but due to
claims of higher energy density of 170 Wh/kg and lower
cycle life of 500–1,500 cycles, it is likely that the company
uses NMC chemistry [9]. Recently, Siemens has patented a
mobile mining truck that utilizes LTO cells [10].
Recently, a group of NIOSH researchers have had mul-
tiple discussions with various mining industry personnel
regarding LIB-powered mine utility vehicles (MUVs) and
rubber-tired mantrips (RTMs). While large LIB-powered
BEVs have been engineered specifically for the application,
the lead-acid batteries on smaller vehicles such as MUVs
and RTMs could be swapped out for commercially avail-
able LIBs that are not designed to withstand the harsh min-
ing environment. Some underground coal mines have been
switching their outby MUVs from traditional batteries to
LIBs. Some of these vehicles use 6V or 12V automotive-
type batteries. Other mines have reportedly begun working
with RTM manufacturers on LIB-powered vehicles. One of
the concerns with using LIBs in these applications is that
there are currently no guidelines for installing LIBs in these
vehicles. Even though these are outby vehicles, a LIB ther-
mal runaway (TR) in the outby area of an underground
coal mine would be problematic because the surrounding
coal could catch on fire. Mines from other sectors also use
these types of vehicles. Because off-the-shelf automotive-
type LIBs can be easily retrofitted into such vehicles, MUV
and RTM manufacturers and mines could easily swap out