WO2024010498A1

WO2024010498A1 - Dynamic power allocation for mining machines

Info

Publication number: WO2024010498A1
Application number: PCT/SE2022/050673
Authority: WO
Inventors: Patrik ROTH; Emil Andersson
Original assignee: Epiroc Rock Drills Aktiebolag
Priority date: 2022-07-04
Filing date: 2022-07-04
Publication date: 2024-01-11

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for controlling grid power consumption in a mining machine (23) located in a mine environment (200), the mining machine (23) being arranged to be connected to a local power grid (20b), wherein the method comprises: determining (S1) a current location of the mining machine (23), wherein the determined location is within a mining area of a plurality of mining areas (A, B, C, D) within the mine environment (200); obtaining (S2) a maximum grid power consumption limit for the mining machine (23) within the mining area; and controlling (S3) grid power consumption in the mining machine (23) based on the determined maximum grid power consumption limit.

Description

DYNAMIC POWER ALLOCATION FOR MINING MACHINES

Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to computer-implemented methods and arrangements for controlling grid power consumption in a mining machine located in a mine environment. The present disclosure further relates to mining control systems for controlling a mine environment. Finally, the present disclosure relates generally to a computer program product.

Background

[0002] Mining machines, e.g. face drill rigs, production drill rigs, loaders, haulers, dumpers, rock bolting rigs, cable bolting rigs and concrete spraying machines, are all involved in different phases of the mining operation.

Traditionally, mining machines have been driven by combustion engines.

However, in recent years growing environmental concerns have driven the mining industry to reduce or phase out the traditional combustion engine in favour of electrically powered machines to reduce or eventually stop the emission of greenhouse gases from fossil fuels. Furthermore, the usage of combustion engines in underground mines also poses a problem in the working environment of the miners due to exhaust gases emitted.

[0003] The switch from fuel-powered mining machines to electrically and battery-powered machines increases the electrical energy consumption in the mine environment. As mining machines can have high energy power consumption due to the nature of operations performed, this poses a high demand on the electrical power grid.

[0004] The available grid power in a mine environment can differ depending on the location within the mine environment. For instance, an area located deeper in the mine environment may have a lower available grid power than an area located higher up in the mine environment, or vice versa. Similarly, an area located further away from a power supply may have a lower available grid power than an area located closer to the power supply. [0005] As the available grid power varies depending on the location, a mining machine experiences different levels of available grid power when moving between different areas of the mine environment. When traveling between different areas of a mine environment, a mining machine may connect to different local power grids located in different areas.

[0006] If too many machines are operating at the same time within the same area of a mine environment, the available grid power might not be enough to cover the power demand. This can lead to costly shutdowns of the mining machines and/or power failure in the mining area or the whole mine environment. It is therefore important to control power consumption of mining machines in order to ensure a safe and continuous mining operation, so that the grid power consumption of the mining machine does not exceed a threshold value causing the power grid to be overloaded.

[0007] A proposed solution to such problems is the prediction of the power consumption of mining machines based on how much power is expected to be needed by each machine during a specified period. If the predicted power usage exceeds a threshold consumption, power to one or more mining machines in the mine environment is restricted so that actual power usage in the mine environment does not exceed the threshold power usage during the specified period.

[0008] However, one drawback of such a solution is that it relies on gathering information from a large number of machines to predict and control power consumption. Hence, there is a need for improved systems and methods which reduces the complexity for controlling power consumption in a mine environment.

Summary

[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a computer implemented method and an arrangement for controlling grid power consumption in a mining machine, wherein the machine’s power consumption may be limited automatically depending on the machine’s location in the mining machine. [0010] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer- implemented method for controlling grid power consumption in a mining machine located in a mine environment, the mining machine being arranged to be connected to a local power grid, wherein the method comprises: determining a current location of the mining machine, wherein the determined location is within a mining area of a plurality of mining areas within the mine environment; obtaining a maximum grid power consumption limit for the mining machine within the mining area; and controlling grid power consumption in the mining machine based on the determined maximum grid power consumption limit.

[0011 ] An exemplary effect of a computer implemented method according to what is disclosed herein, is that the mining machine can continue to perform a mining task with limited power grid consumption, without overloading the power grid. This results in more machines being able to perform their respective task simultaneously and reduces the risks of a power grid overload.

[0012] The grid power consumption in the mining machine should not be greater than the maximum grid power consumption limit for the mining machine. If the grid power consumption in the mining machine would be greater than the maximum grid power consumption limit for the mining machine, the local grid might be overloaded and thus result in a power shortage for all machines connected to the same local power grid.

[0013] Exemplary mining machines, but not limited to, are rock drilling rigs, excavators, shovels, draglines, bulldozers, loaders, scrapers, skid steers, motor graders, off-highway dumpers, haul trucks, tank vehicles, water vehicles, forklifts, transport vehicles, cranes, conveyor systems, classifiers, crushers and/or multipurpose vehicles.

[0014] In the context of the present disclosure, and in its most general interpretation, the local power grid is the power grid providing power to the whole mine, i.e. , representing the main power grid of the mine. In the context of a mine environment, there may be a plurality of local power grids that connect to the main grid. Each local power grid may differ from the other local power grids with regard to mining consumers, e.g., machines and components, comprised in the local power grid. Such machines and components may comprise electrical mining machines, battery chargers, batteries, and electrical lines providing the connections between the machines and components of the local power grid and the main power grid. Such machines and components may also comprise ventilation equipment, lighting, and transport vehicles operated in the mine or other type of mine environment.

[0015] In the context of the present disclosure, and in its mot general interpretation, the mine environment is both an underground part of a mine, e.g., mine galleries, and adjacent areas above ground being part of a mine operation performed in the mine environment, e.g., mine entrances, maintenance areas, pitstop areas etc.

[0016] In one embodiment, obtaining a maximum grid power consumption limit for the mining machine may comprise obtaining an available grid power in the mining area.

[0017] By such exemplary embodiment, the grid power consumption in the mining machine is adjusted depending on the current available grid power in the mining area. The mining machine can therefore adapt the grid power consumption based on the current mining area the machine is located in.

[0018] In one embodiment, the available grid power in the mining area may be determined based on at least one of a current state of the grid power, predetermined values for each mining area, and scheduled work cycles in the mining area.

[0019] In one embodiment, the mine environment may be an underground mine environment.

[0020] In one embodiment, the method may further comprise: obtaining a grid power consumption priority of the mining machine; and controlling grid power consumption in the mining machine based on the obtained grid power consumption priority.

[0021] By such exemplary embodiment, better optimisation possibilities are achieved as a mining machine performing a more important task can be given a higher maximum grid power consumption limit, i.e. a higher grid power consumption priority, than another mining machine within the same mining area performing a less important task or a task requiring less power. The power available in the local power grid can therefore be utilized more efficiently.

[0022] In one embodiment, the mining machine may be configured to perform a work task according to a work cycle in the mining area, and wherein the grid power consumption priority is determined according to the work task to be performed and/or the work cycle of the mining machine.

[0023] In the context of the present disclosure, a work cycle can be a predefined work cycle or a dynamically updated work cycle, dependent on work area specific parameters. For instance, if the mining machine is a rock drilling rig, the work cycle can for instance be defined by an excavation plan in at least one mining area. Excavation plan can for instance be, but not limited to, a drilling plan, a charging plan, or a mining plan. However, the skilled person understands that other operations can be performed as well.

[0024] In one embodiment, the method may further comprise changing the grid power consumption priority of the mining machine during the work cycle in response to a change in the mine environment. By such an exemplary embodiment, the grid power consumption in a mining machine can be altered dynamically depending on a current state of the mining area. For instance, if a change in the mining area occurs that requires changing the grid power consumption of a mining machine, this can be performed before a power grid overload occurs. Similarly, if conditions changes so that a mining machine can receive a higher priority, the grid power consumption of a mining machine can be increased, leading to a more efficient usage. [0025] In one embodiment, the change in the mine environment may comprise a reduction in available grid power and/or an additional mining machine with a different grid power consumption priority entering the same mining area as the mining machine.

[0026] In one embodiment, the method may further comprise assigning different grid power consumption priorities to mining machines present within the same mining area depending on their work task according to the work cycle.

[0027] By such an exemplary embodiment, it is for instance possible to ensure that a battery present on the mining machine is sufficiently charged to transfer the rock drilling rig in order to get to the next scheduled mining area.

[0028] By such an exemplary embodiment, it is for instance also possible to ensure that a battery present on the mining machine is sufficiently charged to provide additional power to the mining machine in the next mining area according to the work cycle, so that the battery can provide additional power to the mining machine in the next mining area beyond the local power grid in the next mining area. The mining machine might therefore utilize more power than what is available to it from the local power grid due to the maximum grid power consumption limit.

[0029] In one embodiment, the method may further comprise assigning a higher grid power consumption priority to a mining machine which is scheduled to travel to a mining area with a lower available grid power consumption limit. By such exemplary embodiment, a mining machine scheduled to travel to a mining area with a lower available grid power consumption limit can charge its batteries, if present, in the mining area with the higher grid power consumption limit before traveling to the next mining area. This also leads to a more efficient usage of the grid power available in the mining area.

[0030] In one embodiment, the maximum grid power consumption limit for the mining machine may further be dependent on at least one of a state of charge of an electrical battery of the mining machine, a state of health of an electrical battery of the mining machine, and a work task according to a work cycle of the mining machine.

[0031] In one embodiment, controlling grid power consumption in the mining machine may comprise the steps of communicating between a mining control system and the mining machine, and controlling grid power consumption in the mining machine by manual adjustments by an operator of the mining machine and/or automatic adjustments received from the mining control system. The manual adjustment by an operator might for instance be limiting the grid power consumption according to adjustments received from the mining control system.

[0032] An exemplary mining control system is described in detail in another general aspect of this disclosure.

[0033] In one embodiment, determining the current location may be performed by any one of tag identification located in the mining area, a wireless positioning system, and a wire-based positioning system.

[0034] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an arrangement for controlling grid power consumption in a mining machine located in a mine environment, the mining machine being arranged to be connected to a local power grid, wherein the arrangement comprises: positioning means configured to determine a current location of the mining machine; communication means configured to send the determined location to a mining control system and to obtain a maximum grid power consumption limit for the mining machine within the mining area from the mining control system; a controller, configured to control grid power consumption in the mining machine, wherein the controller comprises processing circuitry and a memory, wherein said memory contains instruction executable by said processing circuitry, wherein the arrangement is operative for: determining a current location of the mining machine, wherein the determined location is within a mining area of a plurality of mining areas) within the mine environment; obtaining a maximum grid power consumption limit for the mining machine within the mining area; and controlling grid power consumption in the mining machine based on the determined maximum grid power consumption limit.

[0035] The arrangement is adapted for any computer-implemented method for controlling grid power consumption in a mining machine according to the present disclosure. The arrangement may be mounted on the mining machine.

[0036] As previously mentioned, in a mining context the power grid is often on the edge of its capacity or even under-dimensioned to meet the power needs of multiple, simultaneous operations using electrically operated mining machines. This is especially true in cases where the work cycles of operations imply intermittent power needs in the power grid. An exemplary effect of an arrangement for controlling grid power consumption in a mining machine according to what is disclosed herein, is that the grid power consumption in conventional mining machines connected to a local power grid can be controlled, thus enabling a more efficient use of said mining machines without overloading the local power grid.

[0037] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a mining machine comprising any arrangement for controlling grid power consumption in a mining machine as disclosed herein.

[0038] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a mining control system, for controlling at least one mining machine as disclosed herein located in a mine environment wherein the system comprises: communication means, configured to receive information about a location of a mining machine within a mining area of a plurality of mining areas within the mine environment, and to transmit information to the arrangement for controlling grid power consumption, wherein the information sent to the arrangement comprises information about a maximum grid power consumption limit for the mining machine within the mining area. [0039] An exemplary effect of a mining control system according to what is disclosed herein is that it is possible to control a plurality of mining machines in a mine environment and their grid power consumption, hence reducing the risk of a part of the mine environment being overloaded.

[0040] In one embodiment, the communication means may further be configured to receive information about a work cycle of the mining machine in the mine environment; and the system further comprises a control unit (CU) configured to assign a grid power consumption priority to the mining machine. Preferably, the grid power consumption priority is determined based on the work cycle of the mining machine in the mine environment.

[0041] In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program product comprising computer program code which, when executed causes an arrangement according to the present disclosure to execute a computer-implemented method for controlling grid power consumption in a mining machine according to the present disclosure.

Brief description of drawings

[0042] The disclosure is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference notations denote similar items in the various figures, and in which:

[0043] Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a mine environment.

[0044] Fig. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method according to an example.

[0045] Fig. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method according to an example.

[0046] Fig. 4 illustrates a schematic representation of an arrangement for controlling grid power consumption in a mining machine located in a mine environment. [0047] Fig. 5 illustrates a schematic representation of a mining control system for controlling at least one mining machine.

Detailed Description

[0048] The detailed description with reference to the disclosed embodiments are to be viewed as examples that combining specific features described above. It is to be understood that additional examples may be achieved by combining other and/or fewer/more features than in the disclosed embodiments. Hence, the figures disclose exemplary embodiments and not as exclusive combinations. In this context is should also be noted that, for the sake of simplicity, all figures are schematically disclosed, as long as nothing else is said.

[0049] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a mine environment 200. The mine environment illustrated by figure 1 comprises a power supply 20a and a plurality of local power grids 20b arranged in mining areas A, B, C, D. In the embodiment illustrated in figure 1 , the plurality of local power grids 20b are located in underground mining areas A, B, C, D. However, the local power grid can also be present above ground in adjacent areas above ground being part of the mine operation. An electrical arrangement 21 is provided in an interface to the one or more local power grids for managing power supply to the one or more local power grids.

[0050] A plurality of mining machines 23 are present in the mine environment illustrated in figure 1 as well. Exemplary mining machines 23, but not limited to, are rock drilling rigs, excavators, shovels, draglines, bulldozers, loaders, scrapers, skid steers, motor graders, off-highway dumpers, haul trucks, tank vehicles, water vehicles, forklifts, transport vehicles, cranes, conveyor systems, classifiers, crushers and/or multipurpose vehicles. The mining machine 23 may be electrically driven, driven by an electrical hybrid system, or comprise a battery for transporting the mining machine between local power grids 20b. If a battery is present, it may also contribute to extra power to the mining machine to perform its task if the maximum grid power consumption limit for the mining machine is too low. [0051 ] In the mining area C illustrated in figure 1 , two mining machines (23c1 , 23c2) are present. However, it is to be understood that also other mining areas can comprise more than one mining machine at the same time.

[0052] When a mining machine 23 is present in a mining area A, B, C, D, its current location is determined within the mine environment 200. Depending on the work task to be performed by the mining machine, or other mining machines being present in the same mining area, the mining machine 23 is given a maximum grid power consumption limit within the mining area according to a method for controlling grid power consumption as disclosed in the present disclosure.

[0053] The mining machine 23 can transfer between different mining areas A, B, C, D within the mine environment 200. As such, a mining machine may during a predefined work cycle transfer between different mining areas and experience different maximum grid power consumption limits. When entering a new mining area, the mining machine may therefore be given a new grid power consumption based on the determined maximum grid power consumption limit.

[0054] Figure 2 shows a flowchart of a method for controlling grid power consumption in a mining machine 23 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method is a computer-implemented method for controlling grid power consumption in a mining machine comprising determining S1 a current location of a mining machine 23 located in a mine environment 200. The method is performed by an arrangement for controlling grid power consumption present on the mining machine.

[0055] The mining machine is arranged to be connected to a local power grid 20b. The local power grid 20b may be connected to a power supply 20a. The method comprising determining S1 a current location of the mining machine, wherein the determined location is within a mining area of a plurality of mining areas A, B, C, D within the mine environment 200. The method further comprises obtaining S2 a maximum grid power consumption limit for the mining machine 23 within the mining area. The method further comprises controlling S3 grid power consumption in the mining machine 23 based on the determined maximum grid power consumption limit.

[0056] The determination S1 can be performed by any one of tag identification located in the mining area, a wireless positioning system present in the mine environment, and a wire-based positioning system. The wire-based positioning system can for instance be location identifications means present in the power grid cable connecting the mining machine 23 to the local power grid 20b. A power grid cable of a local power grid can therefore have a unique location identification mean, thus providing information about the location of the power grid in the mine environment, and hence location information of a mining machine connected to said power grid cable.

[0057] The method further comprises a step of obtaining S2 a maximum grid power consumption limit for the mining machine 23 within the mining area and controlling S3 grid power consumption in the mining machine 23 based on the determined maximum grid power consumption limit. The obtained maximum grid power consumption limit obtained in step S2 thus represents the maximum allowed grid power consumption in the mining machine. As such, when the method controls S3 the grid power consumption in the mining machine, the value of the grid power consumption should not be greater than the maximum grid power consumption limit. If grid power consumption in the mining machine is higher than the maximum grid power consumption limit for the mining machine obtained in step S2, the local power grid 20b might be overloaded and fail.

[0058] The obtaining S2 of a maximum grid power consumption limit may be done by wireless communication between an arrangement for controlling grid power consumption of a mining machine located in a mine environment and a mining control system for controlling at least one mining machine according to the present disclosure. The controlling S3 can be performed by manual adjustments by an operator of the mining machine and/or automatic adjustments received from a mining control system according to the present disclosure. [0059] The method illustrated by figure 2 may also comprise a further step of obtaining a grid power consumption priority of the mining machine and controlling grid power consumption in the mining machine based on the obtained grid power consumption priority. The consumption priority may be obtained from a mining control system, not shown in figure 2.

[0060] Referring back to Figure 1 , more than one mining machine 23c1 , 23c2 can be present in a mining area C. As different mining machines within the same mining area can have different grid power consumption priorities, mining machines requiring the highest amount of grid power are able to utilize the available grind power more efficiently without mining machines needing less grid power causing any power interference or overloads. If the mining machine is to be transferred between a current mining area to a next mining area with a lower available grid power utilizing battery power, it may also be advantageous to assign a higher grid power priority to said machine so that the battery has sufficient power to transfer the mining machine to the next mining area, and may also contain sufficient power to complement the available grid power in the next mining area when performing a task. In one exemplary embodiment not illustrated in Figure 1 , mining machines already present and connected to a local power grid may receive a different grid power consumption priority in response to an additional mining machine entering the same mining area. If the newly entered mining machine is to perform a work task requiring a high amount of grid power, the priority of the mining machines already present in the mining area can be lowered to allow a higher maximum grid power consumption limit of the newly entered mining machine.

[0061 ] Figure 3 shows a flowchart of another exemplary method for controlling grid power consumption in a mining machine 23 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Similarly to what is illustrated in figure 2, the method illustrated in figure 3 comprises determining S1 a current location of the mining machine, wherein the determined location is within a mining area of a plurality of mining areas A, B, C, D within the mine environment 200. The method further comprises obtaining S2 a maximum grid power consumption limit for the mining machine 23 within the mining area. In the embodiment illustrated in figure 3, controlling S3 grid power consumption in the mining machine comprises the steps of communication S31 between a mining control system and the mining machine, and controlling S32 grid power consumption in the mining machine by manual adjustments by an operator of the mining machine and/or automatic adjustments received from the mining control system.

[0062] Figure 4 illustrates a schematic representation of an arrangement for controlling grid power consumption in a mining machine located in a mine environment. The embodiment illustrated in figure 4 shows an arrangement 40 for controlling grid power consumption in a mining machine 23 (not shown in figure 4) located in a mine environment 200 (not shown in figure 4). The mining machine and the mine environment may be according to the previously disclosed embodiment of the present disclosure. The mining machine is arranged to be connected to a local power grid 20b (not shown in figure 4). The arrangement 40 comprises positioning means 41 to determine a current location of the mining machine. The positioning means 41 may be means arranged to determine the location based on a wireless positioning system present in the mine environment, and a wire-based positioning system, such as location identifications means present in the power grid cable connecting the mining machine to the local power grid. The determined location is within a mining area of a plurality of mining areas A, B, C, D within the mine environment 200. The arrangement 40 further comprises communication means 42 configured to send the determined location to a mining control system and to obtain a maximum grid power consumption limit for the mining machine (23) within the mining area from the mining control system. The communication means 42 may be selected from a wireless communication system, such as radio communication equipment or a network-based communication system. The arrangement 40 further comprises a controller 43 comprising processing circuitry 431 and a memory 432. The memory 432 contains instruction executable by said processing circuitry 431 . As previously described in the present disclosure, the controller 43 is configured to control grid power consumption in the mining machine 23 based on the determined maximum grid power consumption limit received from the mining control system. When the controller 43 receives information about the determined maximum grid power consumption limit from the mining control system, the controller 43 controls the grid power consumption in the mining machine 23 by said processing circuitry 431 utilizing instructions executable by said processing circuitry.

[0063] The arrangement 400 may be mounted on the mining machine 23, for instance attached to an outside of the mining machine or an inside of the mining machine. The arrangement 400 may be attached by means screws or any other suitable attaching means.

[0064] When a mining machine is located in a mine environment, its current location within a mining area is determined by an arrangement 40 for controlling grid power consumption in the mining machine 23 according to the present disclosure. The location determination can be performed by different means, such as tag identification located in the mining area, a wireless positioning system, and a wire-based positioning system. The arrangement then sends the determined location to a mining control system and obtains a maximum grid power consumption limit for the mining machine within the mining area from the mining control system. The arrangement further comprises a controller configured to control grid power consumption in the mining machine 23 based on the determined maximum grid power consumption limit received from the mining control system. This leads to the mining machine being able to perform its task according to a work cycle without overloading the power grid, as the power consumption of the mining machine is controlled by the arrangement.

[0065] Figure 4 also illustrates an example computer program product 45 having thereon a computer program comprising instructions. The computer program product comprises a computer readable medium such as, for example a universal serial bus (USB) memory, a plug-in card, an embedded drive or a read only memory (ROM). The computer readable medium has stored there on a computer program comprising program instructions. The computer program is loadable into processing circuitry comprised in the arrangement 40. According to some embodiments, the computer program may, when loaded into and run by the arrangement 40, cause execution of method steps according to, for example, the method illustrated in Figure 2 or 3. [0066] Thus, the computer program is loadable into the arrangement 40, for instance into processing circuitry comprised in the arrangement 40 (not shown in figure 4) and is configured to cause execution of embodiments for controlling grid power consumption in a mining machine, when the computer program is run by the processing circuitry. The example arrangement of Figure 4 may, for example, be configured to perform method steps described in connection with Figure 2 or 3.

[0067] Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a mining control system 500 for controlling at least one mining machine 23. In figure 5, a mining machine 23 is located in the mining area B of a mine environment 200. However, the example illustrated in figure 5 is only one example and it is to be understood that more than one mining machine can be present in the mine environment 200 or be located in other mining areas as well. The mining control system 500 comprises communication means 501 , configured to receive information about a location of the mining machine 23 within a mining area B within the mine environment 200. The communication means is further configured to transmit information to an arrangement for controlling grid power consumption (not illustrated in figure 5) in a mining machine 23, wherein the information sent to the arrangement comprises information about a maximum grid power consumption limit for the mining machine within the mining area.

[0068] The communication means 501 may be a wireless based communication system communicating via a mine network, or a wire-based communication system connecting the control system 500 and to arrangement for controlling grid power consumption of a mine mining 23. In the embodiment illustrated in figure 5, the communication is performed wirelessly.

[0069] In the example illustrated in figure 5, the system 500 further comprises a control unit CU configured to assign a grid power consumption priority to the mining machine 23. The communication means 501 may further be configured to receive information about a work cycle of the mining machine 23 in the mine environment 200. [0070] As the mining control system 500 is able to communicate with a plurality of arrangements for controlling grid power consumption of a mining machine 23, the control unit CU can assign a grid power consumption priority to a mining machine based on the overall gather information from a plurality of mining machines 23 and their respective work cycles, and thus optimize the overall grid power consumption in the mine environment 200.

Claims

1 . A computer-implemented method for controlling grid power consumption in a mining machine (23) located in a mine environment (200), the mining machine (23) being arranged to be connected to a local power grid (20b), wherein the method comprises: determining (S1 ) a current location of the mining machine (23), wherein the determined location is within a mining area of a plurality of mining areas (A, B, C, D) within the mine environment (200); obtaining (S2) a maximum grid power consumption limit for the mining machine (23) within the mining area; and controlling (S3) grid power consumption in the mining machine (23) based on the determined maximum grid power consumption limit.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein obtaining a maximum grid power consumption limit for the mining machine (23) comprises obtaining an available grid power in the mining area.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the available grid power in the mining area is determined based on at least one of a current state of the grid power, pre-determined values for each mining area (A, B, C, D), and scheduled work cycles in the mining area.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mine environment (200) is an underground mine environment.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: obtaining a grid power consumption priority of the mining machine (23); and controlling grid power consumption in the mining machine (23) based on the obtained grid power consumption priority.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the mining machine (23) is configured to perform a work task according to a work cycle in the mining area, and wherein the grid power consumption priority is determined according to the work task to be performed and/or the work cycle of the mining machine (23).

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising changing the grid power consumption priority of the mining machine (23) during the work cycle in response to a change in the mine environment.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the change in the mine environment comprises a reduction in available grid power and/or an additional mining machine (23c2) with a different grid power consumption priority entering the same mining area as the mining machine (23c1 ).

9. The method according to any one of claims 6-8, further comprising assigning different grid power consumption priorities to mining machines (23c1 , 23c2) present within the same mining area depending on their work task according to the work cycle.

10. The method according to any one of claims 5-9, further comprising assigning a higher grid power consumption priority to a mining machine (23) which is scheduled to travel to a mining area with a lower available grid power consumption limit.

11 . The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the maximum grid power consumption limit for the mining machine (23) is further dependent on at least one of a state of charge of an electrical battery of the mining machine (23), a state of health of an electrical battery of the mining machine, and a work task according to a work cycle of the mining machine (23).

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein controlling (S3) grid power consumption in the mining machine comprises the steps of communicating (S31 ) between a mining control system and the mining machine (23), and controlling (S32) grid power consumption in the mining machine (23) by manual adjustments by an operator of the mining machine (23) and/or automatic adjustments received from the mining control system.

13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the determining (S1 ) of the current location is performed by any one of tag identification located in the mining area, a wireless positioning system, and a wire based positioning system.

14. An arrangement (40) for controlling grid power consumption in a mining machine (23) located in a mine environment (200), the mining machine being arranged to be connected to a local power grid (20b), wherein the arrangement (40) comprises: positioning means (41) configured to determine a current location of the mining machine; communication means (42) configured to send the determined location to a mining control system and to obtain a maximum grid power consumption limit for the mining machine (23) within the mining area from the mining control system; and a controller (43), configured to control grid power consumption in the mining machine (23), wherein the controller (43) comprises processing circuitry (431 ) and a memory (432), wherein said memory (432) contains instruction executable by said processing circuitry (431 ), wherein the arrangement is operative for: determining a current location of the mining machine (23), wherein the determined location is within a mining area of a plurality of mining areas (A, B, C, D) within the mine environment (200); obtaining a maximum grid power consumption limit for the mining machine (23) within the mining area; and controlling grid power consumption in the mining machine (23) based on the determined maximum grid power consumption limit.

15. A mining machine (23) comprising an arrangement (40) according to claim 14.

16. A mining control system (500), for controlling at least one mining machine (23) according to claim 15 located in a mine environment (200) wherein the system comprises: - communication means (501 ), configured to receive information about a location of a mining machine (23) within a mining area of a plurality of mining areas (A, B, C, D) within the mine environment (200), and to transmit, information to the arrangement for controlling grid power consumption, wherein the information sent to the arrangement comprises information about a maximum grid power consumption limit for the mining machine within the mining area.

17. The mining control system (500) according to claim 16, wherein:

- the communication means (501 ) is further configured to receive information about a work cycle of the mining machine in the mine environment; and

- the system further comprises a control unit (CU) configured to assign a grid power consumption priority to the mining machine (23).

18. A computer program product (45) comprising computer program code which, when executed causes an arrangement (40) according to claim 14 to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-13.