Hitachi begins trial of the world’s first ultra-large full battery dump truck

The technological feasibility trial, which began in June 2024, is being conducted at First Quantum’s Kansanshi deep opencast copper-gold mine, one of the company’s largest mines in Zambia. The technological feasibility trial aims to verify the basic performance of operations required of a battery-powered dump truck – such as travelling, turning, and stopping – under actual operating loads, as well as the verification of battery charging and discharging cycles.

First Quantum are leaders in trolley system operations with in-house technology development and deployment, and at their Kansanshi copper and gold mine can provide Hitachi Construction Machinery with the infrastructure and facilities that are needed to test a full battery dump truck, such as proven overhead dynamic charging solutions and variety of haul circuits in an actual operational mining environment. The use of Kansanshi infrastructure and the collaboration with First Quantum are the key differentiators, to fast tracking this evolving technology design which makes it the ideal practical and commercially viable solution.

Further to this, renewable energy accounts for 92% of Zambia’s energy, and in addition to hydroelectric power generation, solar, wind, biogas, and other power sources from First Quantum are expected to be scaled up in the future. The challenge of achieving true decarbonisation is underway in Zambia, a country with abundant renewable energy requirements and will help Hitachi Construction Machinery to leverage this technology trial to further product development and broader applicational studies with customers around the world, thereby helping them to achieve their zero emissions goals.

Hitachi Construction Machinery’s Vice President and Executive Officer, President of Mining Business Unit, Eiji Fukunishi, stated, “Mining companies around the world are working to reduce emissions. As OEM, it is our vision to provide solutions that can reduce our customers’ environmental footprint. The battery dump truck represents the future, not only for the Hitachi Construction Machinery Group but for the mining industry as a whole, and we are pleased to establish this proving ground on an active mine site and work with First Quantum on advancing this zero-emission solution.”

First Quantum’s Director Mining, John Gregory, stated “Battery zero emissions development with little to no impact on payload, production, and fleet size is achievable with Trolley Assist and First Quantum have mastered this technology by working with 2600 V systems of Hitachi Construction Machinery to provide stable platforms with multiple trucks on the overhead line at the same time. This system is operational, practical and economical feasible solution that will reduce emissions in mining for many years to come.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/27062024/hitachi-begins-trial-of-the-worlds-first-ultra-large-full-battery-dump-truck/