Mining with AI sustainable transformation

Harnessing Deep Learning for Mining Fleet Electrification Revolutionizing Mining through AI-powered Sustainable Transformation

CASE STUDY

Introduction Breaking New Ground for the Future of Electric Dump Trucks

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.

Challenges

Navigating the Complex Landscape of Electrifying a Fleet 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.

many moving parts to function appropriately through careful planning and innovative solutions.

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

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.

Solution Chalking out a Detailed Fleet Electrification Plan 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

THE TOOL

THE MOTIVATION

THE GOAL

To use an algorithm able to weigh countless complex interactions and dynamics to recommend the best action

Deep Reinforcement Learning

AI agent-optimized electrification

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.

To perform training with hundreds of parallel simulations testing nigh endless possibilities

Enhanced reliability and recommendation robustness

Simulation Training

Increased credibility and confidence in plan feasibility

To ensure accuracy and validate the electrification plan

Subject Matter Experts

To provide a trained AI agent from simulated scenarios that can be used in an ongoing manner as key dynamics change over the next 10+ years

Data-driven decisions for fleet electrification now and in the future

Custom AI “BRAIN” Solution

To achieve a balance between eco-responsibility and transition costs

Reduced emissions and achievement of ESG target

Environmental & Cost Goals

Embracing Electrification is the Tip of the Iceberg 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

Financial Efficiency

Sustainability Vision

Environmental Impact

Enabled strategic planning for zero-emissions fleet replacement

Minimized transition costs while maximizing operational value

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

Minimized environmental footprint through comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions reduction

Enable better decisions with Fractal Fractal is one of the most prominent providers of Artificial Intelligence to Fortune 500® companies. Fractal’s vision is to power every human decision in the enterprise, and bring AI, engineering, and design to help the world’s most admired companies. Fractal’s businesses include Crux Intelligence (AI driven business intelligence), Eugenie.ai (AI for sustainability), Asper.ai (AI for revenue growth management) and Senseforth.ai (conversational AI for sales and customer service). Fractal incubated Qure.ai, a leading player in healthcare AI for detecting Tuberculosis and Lung cancer. Fractal currently has 4000+ employees across 16 global locations, including the United States, UK, Ukraine, India, Singapore, and Australia. Fractal has been recognized as ‘Great Workplace’ and ‘India’s Best Workplaces for Women’ in the top 100 (large) category by The Great Place to Work® Institute; featured as a leader in Customer Analytics Service Providers Wave™ 2021, Computer Vision Consultancies Wave™ 2020 & Specialized Insights Service Providers Wave™ 2020 by Forrester Research Inc., a leader in Analytics & AI Services Specialists Peak Matrix 2022 by Everest Group and recognized as an ‘Honorable Vendor’ in 2022 Magic Quadrant™ for data & analytics by Gartner Inc. For more information, visit fractal.ai

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