Fuel cell risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and implementation of the world's first fuel cell-powered mining equipment at the Campbell Mine

Several challenges must be faced for the successful implementation of a new technology in an underground production mine. The challenges include: mine hardening of the new technology; mitigation of safety risks and hazards; mine operation support; and, technology transfer to mine staff. A hydrogen fuel cell locomotive was put into service as part of a demonstration project at the Campbell Mine, located in northwestern Ontario, and operated by Placer Dome (CLA) Limited. The results obtained during this project will be essential to determine technical, regulatory and implementation requirements that will have to be considered in subsequent fuel cell prototypes. The authors described the approach selected to adequately address the challenges which resulted in successful implementation of the project. 8 refs., 5 tabs., 2 figs.