Conuma Resources and its coach operator, Golden Arrow, announced the successful trial of a brand new, fully electric motorcoach for transporting Conuma’s workforce between its mines. This all-new electric motorcoach, built by Motor Coach Industries (MCI) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, is the first of its kind, all-electric motorcoach. The MCI J4500 Charge is engineered to carry 60 passengers and travel more than 320 kilometers (km) on a single charge. It has gone through rigorous field testing over diverse terrain, including mine and forestry roads. The motorcoach is an early production model, with MCI planning to start full-scale production in early 2022 in its Winnipeg facility.
“Conuma Resources’ trial of an electric motorcoach to help with transporting workers between mines is a great example of the innovation needed for British Columbia’s mining sector to be a leader in sustainable mining,” said Hon. Bruce Ralston, minister of energy, mines and low carbon innovation. “British Columbia has the highest uptake of electric vehicles in North America, and its amazing to see mining companies stepping up and adopting clean energy technologies and supporting our transition to a low carbon economy.”
CEO Brian Sullivan said, “This all-electric bus, while pragmatic for our operations, is a symbol of Conuma’s continuous effort to reduce
our overall carbon impact, and enhance the company’s environmental, social and corporate governance through innovation.”
