Flanders, a prominent independent mining equipment technology company, has made significant strides in the past six months, announcing the opening of a state-of-the-art Innovation, Technology, and Training Center in Carmel, Indiana, named Flanders Innovation Technology, Training (FITT). Concurrently, they inked a deal with Thiess, the world’s leading mining services company, to collaborate on hybrid-based decarbonisation solutions for mining fleets in North America, with a Letter of Intent (LOI) for Australia and Asia. This partnership specifically focuses on deploying Flanders’ innovative and patent-pending FREEDOM® hybrid haul truck solutions.
At MINExpo 2024 in Las Vegas, IM Editorial Director Paul Moore engaged with Flanders’ Chief Commercial Officer Wayne Chmiel and Senior Manager of Advanced Development, Brian Havens. Chmiel highlighted Flanders’ commitment to investing in training and workforce development, citing the growing demand for skilled talent in mining. As lower-emission technologies gain traction, there is an increasing need for specialised expertise, from diesel mechanics to electrical technicians with diagnostic skills. Flanders aims to lead in this space, offering hands-on, innovative training that goes beyond standard handbooks.
The new FITT centre, strategically located near the Indianapolis International airport, spans 16,000 square feet and features four collaboration centres. These centres will capture real-life mine scenarios on video, allowing trainees to experience real-world situations alongside simulation-based and hands-on training using the latest interactive digital tools. Notably, the centre will include simulators for training ARDVARC autonomous drill operators, developed entirely in-house by Flanders. Chmiel revealed that several major customers have already expressed interest in purchasing these simulators for on-site training.
While mining is the primary focus, the FITT centre will also address training needs in other industries like steel, aluminum, and paper mills, particularly for roles involving motors, drives, PLCs, troubleshooting, and diagnostics. Beyond training, the centre will concentrate on technology development and R&D. Chmiel emphasized the importance of location, stating, “A lot of technology coding skills are coming out of the top Mid-West universities, making Carmel an ideal location.” The centre will house the autonomy engineering team, including for autonomous drilling technology, where Flanders is a global leader. It will also serve as the hub for further development of the FREEDOM® technology for haul trucks, which focuses on retrofit upgrades of mechanical drive and diesel-electric drive mining trucks to diesel engine plus battery hybrid systems.
Thiess, present at the FITT centre’s opening ceremony, will be the launch customer for the FREEDOM® for haul trucks technology. Chmiel explained the synergies between the companies, noting that both are focused on cost efficiency and have complementary offerings. Thiess excels in running mining equipment efficiently, while Flanders leads in advanced drive solutions, technology, automation, and retrofitting capabilities. Chmiel stated, “We have a very clear and common collaborative vision for reducing mining fleet emissions, but profitably.”
The collaboration with Thiess will involve converting trucks, both diesel-electric and mechanical drive, with an initial focus on specific truck models. Once proven, Thiess will carry out the conversions under licence from Flanders, with training provided by Flanders either at their own site or at the FITT centre. Chmiel emphasized that the solution will be front-facing with Thiess customers, becoming an integral part of asset management plans and roadmaps.
Brian Havens, Senior Manager of Advanced Development at Flanders, highlighted the design philosophy behind the FREEDOM® for haul trucks motor, stating, “We created an energy-agnostic solution in addition to our OEM-agnostic drive system for hybrid haul trucks.” The system is modular, allowing for easy maintenance and component commonality, which simplifies maintenance and reduces spare parts inventory for mining operators. “Our system was designed by field service engineers for field service engineers,” Havens added, underscoring the practical and user-friendly design of the FREEDOM® technology.
The implications of these developments are profound. The opening of the FITT centre and the partnership with Thiess signal a significant shift towards decarbonisation and operational efficiency in the mining industry. The focus on training and workforce development addresses a critical need, ensuring that the industry has the skilled workforce required to operate and maintain advanced technologies. The energy-agnostic and OEM-agnostic design of the FREEDOM® technology provides mining companies with a flexible and future-proof solution, allowing them to adapt to changing energy landscapes and regulatory environments. This collaboration is set to reshape the industry, driving innovation, enhancing sustainability, and improving operational efficiency. The industry will be keenly watching how this partnership unfolds.