Revolutionizing mining through
AI-powered sustainable transformation

In the contemporary economic landscape, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) imperatives, and greenhouse gas emissions goals have increasingly become important for charting the path for the transition toward clean and sustainable energies to energize business operations.

However, this transition is intricate and multifaceted, particularly for large mining conglomerates with a portfolio of assets surrounding fossil fuels. Executing this transformation requires a meticulous, data-driven approach, rigorous analysis, and strategic planning. This transition also remains increasingly significant, with governments worldwide pushing for a greener and more responsible future.

Our client, a global mining company based in Canada, wanted to transition their fleet of large dump trucks to electrical to meet their ESG and emissions goals. However, transitioning from well-proven diesel engine technology to novel technology like advanced electrical systems, especially applied to a massive dump truck fleet, introduces many challenges necessitating a precise and methodical approach.

Optimizing Transition Strategies
The first challenge centers on developing optimal transition strategies. Electrifying a diverse fleet of the largest dump trucks in the world while maintaining operational efficiency demands a delicate balance. Identifying the most efficient way to replace or retrofit existing diesel vehicles with electric models while considering factors such as vehicle availability, charging infrastructure, and financial constraints presents a complex puzzle.

Balancing Costs and Environmental Impact
While electrification is environmentally beneficial in the long run, it comes with substantial upfront costs. Minimizing the financial burden on the company while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adhering to ESG targets requires many moving parts to function appropriately through careful planning and innovative solutions.

Managing Fleet Adaptation
One of the most essential challenges revolves around fleet adaptation. Large dump truck fleets are diverse, with varying ages, models, locations, and conditions. Ensuring a seamless transition to electric vehicles across this spectrum poses logistical hurdles. It is not as simple as replacing each truck at the end of its service life with an electric one, as rarely do trucks of this size get replaced entirely at a single point- typically only components that fail are replaced, like the ship of Theseus. Thus managing the sale/ replacement, training operators and maintenance personnel, maintaining consistent operations, and managing operations efficiently during the transition is daunting.

Our client needed an optimal strategy for transforming their fleet of trucks. By leveraging an AI agent, we were able to give them an electrification plan that allowed them to pinpoint precisely which trucks to sell or replace with electric models to maximize value and achieve their electrification goals within the desired timeframe, all while ensuring their mine’s throughput remains at or above requirements. It’s not just electrification; it’s electrification with finesse and precision powered by AI.

Our Offerings: A Strategic AI Agent with a Brain
Fractal harnessed the capabilities of the AnyLogic simulation platform’s transition simulator. We used this simulation to train a BRAIN (Basic Recurrent Artificial Intelligence Network), a Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) AI agent. As opposed to a predictive model, a BRAIN can react to a dynamic and novel environment in real time, recommending the best action at any given moment.

Scaling things up to run hundreds of simulations in parallel, we expedited our AI agent’s development progress with a viable result in only a few weeks. Our client’s subject matter experts then rigorously reviewed and approved the final electrification plan for the fleet of dump trucks. We then leveraged the brain to explore goals optimized to align with various possible futures or different objectives, ensuring no matter what happens, our client was set up for an electrifying and brilliantly optimized future.

Sustainable Gains
Our client is expected to see a gradual impact over the next 10+ years, allowing them to come closer to realizing their enduring vision of carbon neutrality across all their operational facets. They’ll also see reduced operational expenses overall and will be compliant as regulations begin to tighten. This steadfast commitment underscores their unwavering pledge to adhere to current and impending ESG mandates and their holistic sustainability aspirations, with a central focus on the comprehensive eradication of greenhouse gas emissions.

Proactive Transition
Enabled strategic planning for zero-emissions fleet replacement

Financial Efficiency
Minimized transition costs while maximizing operational value

Sustainability Vision
Our client’s commitment to carbon neutrality and compliance with ESG mandates

Environmental Impact
Minimized environmental footprint through comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions reduction