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| Orica |
Net Zero Ambition Drives BEV MMU™ Development for Safer, Greener Mining
Orica is advancing plans to develop a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Mobile Manufacturing Unit™ (MMU™) for explosives delivery in mining and civil operations, aligning with its Net Zero by 2050 goal and supporting broader decarbonisation across the resources sector.
The electrification of MMUs is part of a whole-systems engineering strategy, which includes preparing charging infrastructure for auxiliary vehicles such as magazine trucks, forklifts, and stemming trucks. Orica says the move responds to growing demand for sustainable alternatives to Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) fleets in mining.
Safety and Regulation at the Forefront
Transitioning to battery-powered MMUs introduces new safety and regulatory considerations, including risks associated with thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries. Orica is proactively addressing these through:
- Advanced Battery Management Systems (BMS)
- Thermal modeling of battery fires
- Engagement with national and global regulators, including the UN Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods
Orica is leading the creation of the BEV/EX Subgroup to shape global regulations for BEV applications in dangerous goods transport, reflecting its role as an industry safety leader.
Design, Trials and Operational Planning
Initial development and testing will occur in Australia, where Orica’s Technology Centres are located. The company is applying its rigorous systems-engineering model to validate every aspect of BEV MMU integration, including:
- Depot loading and charging
- On-mine mobility and interaction with infrastructure
- Performance under operational and environmental stress
Vehicle development includes collaboration with OEMs, with Orica evaluating different battery chemistries, management systems, and vehicle architectures. The program is currently assessing both retrofit options and new-build BEV MMUs, though no final prototype design has been announced.
Two-Year Development Timeline
The development cycle is expected to span two years, with site trials to follow. While trial locations are not yet disclosed, they will be selected based on suitability to validate end-to-end system performance.
Orica has also engaged with regulators and industry groups, including Global Chief Inspectors of Explosives (CIE) and Australian safety authorities, to ensure the project meets evolving compliance standards.
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