MacLean to supply BEVs for Glencore’s Sudbury nickel operations

With the Onaping Depth project advancing towards production, MacLean battery electric mining vehicles (BEVs) have been selected by Glencore’s Sudbury integrated nickel operations (INO) as one of the mobile equipment suppliers for the Onaping Depth mine under the existing Craig mine in Onaping, Ont., a longtime base metals mining hub in the Greater Sudbury region.

The MacLean battery electric vehicle (BEV) fleet at Onaping will consist of support vehicles for explosives charging, secondary reduction, shotcrete spraying, concrete transport, and utility vehicles.

MacLean launched its EV Series product line in 2016, and since that time, the company has gone on to design, manufacture and commission over 40 pieces of mobile mining equipment in five provinces across Canada as well one state in the United States and one BEV unit recently shipped to South Africa for trials there.

Collectively, the MacLean full-fleet electrification solution has amassed over 120,000 working hours underground. Connecting the mining cycle to the battery cycle with the right amount of best-in-class battery, onboard charging and vehicle telemetry technology has allowed the company to rapidly progress its product development and introduction of MacLean BEVs into the industry, for customers looking to maximize the operational benefits of a diesel-free mining.

“We are deeply honoured to be chosen by Glencore Sudbury INO as one of the mobile equipment suppliers for this keystone project, as they advance towards production,” said MacLean president Kevin MacLean. “I spent my early years growing up in Levack, when my father was working underground as a division foreman at the former Levack mine, so this BEV fleet sale to Onaping Depth has special meaning for me. MacLean is committed to doing its part to ensuring the success of this project, as the entire mining world looks on.”

“The 100+ employees at the MacLean service and support branch in Sudbury, along with our underground research and training facility just down the road in Lively, are an integral part of the economy in Sudbury and this local footprint will be a cornerstone for our project support to Glencore Sudbury INO across the life of this mine,” added Stella Holloway, MacLean VP of Northern Ontario operations. “Onaping Depth is an example to the mining world for how to successfully develop and operate a diesel-free, deep mine, so we are keenly aware of the high bar that has been set and are excited to step up and ensure the success of the MacLean EV Series fleet as it contributes to the wider success of the Glencore project as whole.”

To learn more about the MacLean EV Series fleet, visit www.macleanengineering.com.