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I always thought mining equipment intentionally runs on hydraulic power (and pneumatic back in the day) to avoid sparks that could set off possible gas or dust

I always thought mining equipment intentionally runs on hydraulic power (and pneumatic back in the day) to avoid sparks that could set off possible gas or dust particle explosion. With brushless motors etc I can imagine how electric can match the safety of hydraulic power, but lithium-ion batteries in a mine? That is a horrible accident waiting to happen. What if the battery is pierced by something? What if it shorts internally when due to an accident? I wouldn't want to be anywhere near it when that happens. We limit the size of lithium-ion batteries we can fly with precisely for the same reason.

bdamm 7y ago
Flight limits on lithium are because the TSA and NTSB can't control the quality of products shipped in luggage holds on passenger jets, not because lithium batteries can't be made safely. Also piercing a battery is a secondary concern to the primary hazard of an object piercing protected machinery. The heat from the lance could spark a fire, and you don't need a battery for that.
pixl97 7y ago
No. Unless its specialized underground mining may take precautions, but a huge portion of above ground mining equipment is already electric. Most of the biggest shovels on the planet are hooked to a power cable.