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Released: 27 August, 2002

Government Of Canada Contributes $300,000 To Fuel-Cell Mining Locomotive

VAL-D’OR — A new generation of mining vehicles that can work deep underground without polluting the air supply is one step closer to reality. Today, Guy St-Julien, Member of Parliament for Abitibi–James Bay–Nunavik, unveiled a prototype mining locomotive that is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. Mr. St-Julien was representing the Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).

The prototype locomotive, the only example of its kind, has been undergoing surface testing by NRCan since the beginning of 2002, most recently at its experimental mine in Val-d’Or, Quebec. It is a pollution-free answer to the problem of diesel emissions in mines that will improve worker health and safety. It will also be less expensive to maintain and will reduce costs for ventilation in mines.

“The innovative technology associated with the fuel-cell locomotive is an excellent example of partnerships at work,” said Minister Dhaliwal. “By contributing financial resources and scientific and technical expertise, NRCan is helping ensure the success of a project that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the quality of life of all Canadians.”

“The role of the Val-d’Or mine in adapting advanced fuel-cell technology to a locomotive designed and built in Canada is something of which the people of this region, and all Canadians, can be proud,” said Mr. St-Julien.

NRCan is contributing $300,000 over two years to the $2.1-million budget for the fuel-cell locomotive project. It also provided the expertise of scientists and engineers who integrated the fuel cell with the locomotive and its control systems, and conducted surface testing. The locomotive will be moved in the near future to the Placer Dome mine in Red Lake, in northwestern Ontario, for underground testing and evaluation. It is expected that many different types of vehicles, including underground diesel loaders — the mainstay of metal mine production — will eventually use the technology, and pilot projects are currently under way in Canada, the United States and other countries.

Fuel cells produce electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen gas and oxygen. The electricity is then used to power an electric motor. Unlike electric batteries, which have to be recharged, fuel cells will run as long as they have a supply of hydrogen. This can be carried on board the vehicle. The only emission produced by the process is pure water.

The prototype locomotive was developed by the Fuelcell Propulsion Institute (FPI), a collaboration among industry, government and academia based in Denver, Colorado, in which NRCan is a full member. The FPI is overall project leader, with Vehicle Projects LLC the prime contractor. The locomotive itself is an off-the-shelf unit manufactured by R.A. Warren Equipment Ltd. of North Bay, Ontario, and the power plant used in the prototype was developed by Sandia National Laboratories of Livermore, California.

The experimental mine was established on the site of an abandoned mine in 1991 in response to a growing need for applied research expressed by the Canadian mining industry. The mine is used to develop new mining equipment and is unique in Canada because tests are conducted in real-life underground mine conditions without the restrictions of a commercial operation.

This project builds upon the Government of Canada’s commitments to supporting research and development and to ensuring a clean, healthy environment, which are essential elements of our quality of life. Funding for this project was provided for in the December 2001 budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.

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