--- title: Potential economic and operational benefits and impacts of trolley assist in open pit mining date: 2014-05-09T16:07:00-04:00 author: jessica napert canonical_url: "https://www.bbaconsultants.com/es-cl/publications/potential-economic-and-operational-benefits-and-impacts-of-trolley-assist-in-open-pit-mining" section: Publications --- 1. In a diesel-electric haul truck, a diesel engine is used to drive an alternator that produces the energy required to power electric wheel motors. Trolley Assist (“TA”) allows a diesel-electric haul truck to bypass the diesel engine entirely when in TA mode so that electric power can be supplied directly by overhead lines. The result is an increase of approximately 10km/hr. in loaded up-ramp travel speed, as well as the substitution of diesel fuel with cheaper and cleaner electrical energy. This improved grade performance can have a significant impact on truck productivity, personnel requirements, fuel consumption, and operating and capital costs. Although TA systems have been available for over 40 years and despite interesting operational and environmental benefits (reduced CO2, NOx, noise emissions, etc.), few operations have employed them. The decision to install a TA system is heavily dependent on the size and overall mine plan of an operation. Additionally, these systems involve significant capital investments and require technical expertise to efficiently design, plan and maintain them. This paper will analyze some of the economic, operational and planning implications and benefits of installing TA at large open-pit operations in Canada based on studies completed by BBA. *Note that this white paper was written in collaboration with Daniel Janusauskas from Detour Gold Corporation. It was presented at the Maintenance, Engineering and Reliability/ Mine Operators (MEMO) Conference in September 2014.* This content is for general information purposes only. All rights reserved ©BBA 1. ![Isabelle Leblanc Carre](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/176805/Isabelle-Leblanc-Carre.webp) Isabelle Leblanc, Ing. Vicepresidenta de Mercado de Minería y Metales Leer bio [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelle-leblanc-5aa12848/) **Con más de 20 años de experiencia en proyectos mineros, Isabelle Leblanc ayuda a los responsables de la toma de decisiones a avanzar con confianza** mediante la identificación de escenarios basados en el valor y que pueden implementarse en terreno. **Áreas de especialización y certificaciones** - NI 43-101, JORC y duediligence, auditorías técnicas - Estrategias y optimización de explotaciones mineras a cielo abierto - Estudios y planificación estratégicos de minas - Estimación de costos de proyectos y análisis económico **Principales logros:** Dirigió más de 25 estudios (desde preliminares y de prefactibilidad hasta de factibilidad financiera) en la minería del oro, cobre, litio y hierro en diversos entornos geológicos y organizacionales. **Enfoque y valor añadido:** Isabelle destaca en la transformación de requisitos técnicos en opciones claras para la toma de decisiones, reduciendo riesgos y mejorando el rendimiento general de los proyectos. - [ 17 ago 2026 Structural engineering early phase: unlocking value through early decisions - ![Nicolas Samson](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/197852/Nicolas-Samson.webp) Nicolas Samson, P.Eng. Senior Engineer, Structural ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/es-cl/perspectivas/structural-engineering-early-phase-unlocking-value-through-early-decisions "Structural engineering early phase: unlocking value through early decisions") - [ 12 ago 2026 Four mistakes that can harm the future performance of industrial assets - ![Caroline provost](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/208557/Caroline-provost.webp) Caroline Provost P.Eng. Director, Operational Strategy Implementation ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/es-cl/perspectivas/four-mistakes-that-can-harm-the-future-performance-of-industrial-assets "Four mistakes that can harm the future performance of industrial assets") - [ 27 jul 2026 Minería y metalurgia Por qué las decisiones tempranas sobre relaves definen el desempeño de la mina a largo plazo - ![Geraldine Cosset](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/206707/Geraldine-Cosset.webp) - ![Jared Purdy](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/212424/Jared-Purdy.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/es-cl/perspectivas/las-decisiones-sobre-relaves-definen-desempeno-mina-a-largo-plazo "Por qué las decisiones tempranas sobre relaves definen el desempeño de la mina a largo plazo") - [ 02 jul 2026 Minería y metalurgia Python: Una herramienta clave para el análisis de datos en el procesamiento de minerales - ![Charles Blais](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/211197/Charles-Blais.webp) - ![Juan Pablo Vergara](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/211266/Juan-Pablo-Vergara.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/es-cl/perspectivas/python-una-herramienta-clave-para-analisis-datos-en-procesamiento-minerales "Python: Una herramienta clave para el análisis de datos en el procesamiento de minerales") [ Ver todo ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/es-cl/perspectivas "Ir a la página del listado de Publications") Pensemos más [ Póngase en contacto con nosotros ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/es-cl/p%C3%B3ngase-en-contacto-con-nosotros) 1. In a diesel-electric haul truck, a diesel engine is used to drive an alternator that produces the energy required to power electric wheel motors. Trolley Assist (“TA”) allows a diesel-electric haul truck to bypass the diesel engine entirely when in TA mode so that electric power can be supplied directly by overhead lines. The result is an increase of approximately 10km/hr. in loaded up-ramp travel speed, as well as the substitution of diesel fuel with cheaper and cleaner electrical energy. This improved grade performance can have a significant impact on truck productivity, personnel requirements, fuel consumption, and operating and capital costs. Although TA systems have been available for over 40 years and despite interesting operational and environmental benefits (reduced CO2, NOx, noise emissions, etc.), few operations have employed them. The decision to install a TA system is heavily dependent on the size and overall mine plan of an operation. Additionally, these systems involve significant capital investments and require technical expertise to efficiently design, plan and maintain them. This paper will analyze some of the economic, operational and planning implications and benefits of installing TA at large open-pit operations in Canada based on studies completed by BBA. *Note that this white paper was written in collaboration with Daniel Janusauskas from Detour Gold Corporation. It was presented at the Maintenance, Engineering and Reliability/ Mine Operators (MEMO) Conference in September 2014.* This content is for general information purposes only. All rights reserved ©BBA