ABB has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Liebherr Mining Equipment aimed at getting environmentally friendly trolley support solutions to market quicker.

Peter Hoeher, Liebherr Mining Equipment managing director, said trolley applications are a "key technology" to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from surface mining and to achieving full electrified haul truck solutions.

The companies said the MoU is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with heavy machinery in mining operations. The companies will explore the development of state-of-the-art equipment and digital solutions for overall electrification of mine sites.

Additionally, they will look to address the demands of remote industrial applications as part of broader efforts to reach zero emissions in mining technology.

They will study and evaluate the possibility of future projects, using technologies available currently and others that might become available in the coming months.

According to ABB, the announcement follows a previous call it made earlier in 2021 for more collaboration between OEMs and key technology suppliers. It said it is collaborating with other stakeholders and technology providers in a bid to accelerate decarbonisation.

Mehrzad Ashagaran, ABB's global product line manager, said the company can be part of a wider electrification movement with near-term targets, and that the project will build on its existing trolley assist infrastructure.