February 4, 2019 - Sandvik has acquired the Californian-based Artisan Vehicle Systems, an OEM manufacturer of battery-powered underground mining equipment.

Artisan’s core technology is battery packs, electric motors, power electronics and software and control systems. It is the market leader in battery electric vehicles currently operating in underground mining.

Artisan Vehicle Systems is an innovator in battery electric vehicles currently operating in underground mining.

The company, founded in 2010, was initially focused on commercial trucks, but soon turned its attention to underground mining. Its zero emission battery-powered loaders and haul trucks can eliminate diesel fumes and the requisite ventilation infrastructure required to make underground sites safe.

“Not only did this mean a cleaner environment for underground workers, but also lower costs and a better return on investment for our customers,” Artisan’s CEO Mike Kasaba said.

“It was truly a rare opportunity to transform an industry with a cleaner, more powerful alternative to diesel while also saving money by lowering overall costs.”

Electric Ambitions

In June last year, Sandvik opened its state of the art Battery Electrification Innovation and Development Centre in Turku, Finland. The company has been open about its ambition to become the market leader in battery electric vehicle solutions.

Artisan will be a business unit in the load and haul division within Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology.

“The area in which Artisan is located is a frontrunner in electric vehicle development”, Mats Eriksson, president of Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology’s load and haul division, said.

“Our new R&D foothold there will complement the skillset we have in Finland. The combination of know-how and skills creates a very strong platform.”

This mirrors what seems to be a trend in the quarrying industry towards lower emission sites. Volvo Construction Equipment and Swedish aggregates producer Skanska recently ran a 10-week trial of electric and autonomous Volvo machines at Skanska’s Vikan Kross Quarry, near Gothenburg, Sweden.