Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions has launched the LH517iB, a 17-tonne battery-electric underground loader (LHD) designed to meet the aggressive decarbonization targets of deep-level mining. While electric LHDs have existed, their adoption has been limited by the need to physically swap heavy battery packs, a logistical challenge in narrow underground tunnels. The LH517iB introduces a high-power, tethered pantograph charging system that recharges the battery in-place without removing it from the machine.
The loader is equipped with a ruggedized pantograph arm mounted on the rear chassis. When the machine enters a designated charging bay, the arm raises to contact an overhead DC fast-charging rail. This system delivers up to 450 kW of power, recharging the battery from 20% to 80% in just 12 minutes during a typical bucket change cycle.
From an engineering perspective, the removal of the diesel engine and torque converter eliminates the need for massive ventilation shafts to clear exhaust fumes, which accounts for up to 50% of a mine's energy costs. The LH517iB utilizes a closed-loop electro-hydraulic system. Instead of a variable displacement pump, the machine uses fixed-displacement pumps driven by electric motors that only run when hydraulic flow is demanded, drastically reducing heat generation.
A critical innovation is the battery thermal management system. Underground ambient temperatures can exceed 40°C. The Sandvik system uses active liquid cooling plates integrated directly between the lithium-ion cells. This ensures the battery never exceeds its optimal operating window, preserving cycle life even in the harshest thermal environments. By enabling rapid charging without battery swapping, Sandvik has solved the uptime paradox for electric heavy machinery in mining.
