MacLean Engineering unveiled its GR8 EV surface grader (pictured above) as the inaugural model for its new division. Courtesy of MacLean Engineering.
MacLean Engineering announced on Feb. 27 that it is forming a new surface mining vehicle division and expanding its electric vehicle (EV) product offering. The GR8 EV surface grader is its inaugural model for the new division.
The GR8 features a large-capacity onboard battery capable of being rapidly charged in under 30 minutes via a Megawatt Charging System (MCS).
“MCS has been a game changer for the electrification of pit-class equipment,” said Dan Stern, senior product manager at MacLean, in an email to CIM Magazine. “With much bigger open-pit equipment, you have much larger batteries. Previous charge methods are slower and require more downtime of the equipment for charging.”
MacLean’s first customer for the GR8 is Fortescue, expanding on a partnership that was initially announced at last year’s MINExpo International on Sept. 25. As part of the deal, MacLean will deliver 30 GR8 graders to Fortescue’s iron ore operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, with the first grader slated for delivery in 2026. The entire fleet is expected to be fully operational by 2029. Powered by a Fortescue Zero battery power system, these graders will be some of the first battery-electric graders to be deployed in surface mining.
The GR8 will help support Fortescue’s decarbonization strategy for its iron ore operations in Western Australia, with the goal of achieving “real zero” Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions across its Australian operations by 2030. According to Fortescue, real zero refers to the removal of Scope 1 and 2 emissions without the use of voluntary carbon offsets or carbon capture and storage, distinguishing it from net zero.
“The challenge that Fortescue has is that they are ‘burning the boats’ with Andrew Forrest’s noble real zero commitment to eliminate fossil fuels from Fortescue’s mining operations, which means there are some lofty, achievable goals, hard deadlines, and certainly, no going back,” Stern said.
As part of its new division, MacLean is developing EVs to complement the GR8 and assist the global surface mining sector in accelerating decarbonization efforts for ancillary equipment. No details have been shared yet on these products or when they will be released.
