The Innovators: Hatch and the world's first underground-vehicle fuelcell project

The Hatch Mining Technology Unit (MTU) was awarded the regulatory-approval and documentation phases of the world's first underground trials for a mining vehicle powered by hydrogen fuelcells. Sharing management responsibilities with Placer Dome, Hatch will perform site reviews and risk assessments for the project.

The trials will be held at the CANMET Experimental Mine in Val D'Or, Quebec, and Placer Dome's Campbell mine in Balmertown, Ontario.

Hatch and the mining industry is conducting a number of intensive R&D projects in an effort to reduce emissions from underground mining equipment. The aim of these projects is to increase the health and safety of employees, align with proposed regulations changes, and decrease the cost of installing and operating ventilation systems.

Sponsoring the trials are Hatch, Newmont Mining, Placer Dome, the U.S. Department of Energy, Natural Resources Canada, and Sandia National Laboratories of Livermore, California.

Hatch is a member of the Fuelcell Propulsion Institute (FPI). Among the Institute's members and project partners are Inco, Newmont Mining, Noranda, Placer Dome, Lonmin and other mining companies, universities, and associations.