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Hitachi’s electric dump truck completed over 4,000 km and moved 30,000 tons at the Kansanshi mine in Zambia, testing its operational viability, recharging infrastructure, and efficiency under extreme heavy mining conditions, with a direct impact on the sector’s decarbonization and reduction of CO2 emissions, accelerating the adoption of sustainable technologies in copper operations essential for the global energy transition
Hitachi Construction Machinery successfully completed the technical demonstration of its electric dump truck at the Kansanshi copper mine in Zambia, covering over 4,000 km and moving 30,000 tons of material.
The fully electric vehicle uses internal batteries and overhead recharging lines, demonstrating viability in real operation.
Real environment tests validate performance and infrastructure of the electric dump truck
The electric dump truck did not operate in a controlled environment. More than 4,000 kilometers were covered on mining trails, transporting 30,000 tons, confirming Hitachi’s development concept and providing data for a commercial launch planned for the fiscal year 2027.
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Recharging during operation was done via overhead lines, integrating with the mine’s existing infrastructure, and allowing continuous operation without CO2 emissions, as 92% of local electricity comes from hydropower.
Capacity and operational adaptation in collaboration with First Quantum
With a capacity of 220 tons, the electric dump truck was developed in partnership with First Quantum Minerals, the mine operator.
Electrification requires adaptation of operations, electrical infrastructure, and work cycle planning, going beyond the simple replacement of diesel engines with batteries. The technology also provides better acceleration and noise reduction, benefiting productivity and working conditions.
Electrification of mining as a priority for sustainable copper production
The challenge is not just to electrify the dump truck, but the entire mining operation. Copper is essential for the energy transition, and its extraction consumes a lot of energy.
The decarbonization of vehicles helps reduce the carbon footprint of materials used in electrical grids, electric cars, batteries, wind turbines, and renewable energy systems, integrating transportation, energy, and mining in a sustainable way.
Operational data allows for future planning and implementation
Hiroshi Kanezawa, vice president of Hitachi’s mining division, highlighted that the tests demonstrate the dumper’s ability to operate continuously and provide data for adapting operational plans and transport line projects. Gordon White, Director of Operations and Mining Technology at First Quantum, emphasized that electrification is a priority for safer, more productive operations with lower emissions, benefiting from renewable energy and existing tram infrastructure in Zambia.
Extreme conditions and next steps for the technology
Although the test does not indicate the immediate replacement of all dump trucks with electric ones, it shows that the technology is moving out of the lab, gathering data in real conditions. Mining involves continuous shifts, steep inclines, and huge loads.
The success of Hitachi’s prototype provides a solid technical foundation for future advances in the electrification of mining equipment, demonstrating that the combination of electric vehicles and renewable energy can be viable in real and demanding operations.
SOURCE
This article was prepared based on information provided by Hitachi Construction Machinery and First Quantum Minerals about electric dump truck tests at a mine in Zambia.
