Hitachi’s battery-powered mega-dump truck prototype is currently undergoing testing at the Kansanshi open-pit copper-gold mine in Zambia in an effort to reduce emissions in the mining industry. The prototype is based on the Hitachi EH4000 AC-3 dump truck, a large vehicle with a 2,500 horsepower Cummins engine and a payload of 221 tons. The testing will focus on the performance of the vehicle and its supporting infrastructure.
Mining operations are known for their environmental impact, but companies like Hitachi, GM, Fortescue, Caterpillar, and Anglo American are working towards reducing emissions from their machines. Hitachi Construction Machinery, a subsidiary of Hitachi, has partnered with ABB to develop a battery-powered electric dump truck with the aim of achieving net-zero emissions in mining.
In 2023, First Quantum Minerals joined the partnership to test the dump trucks at the Kansanshi mine, where several Hitachi diesel-electric dump trucks are already in use. The electric-only version of the dump truck will eliminate diesel emissions, which is particularly beneficial in Zambia where most of the energy comes from renewable sources. Preliminary testing of the prototype has been completed, and the vehicle is now being tested at the mine.
The battery-powered dump truck prototype is being tested at the Kansanshi mine, and the project team is hopeful that the vehicle can operate continuously thanks to the existing overhead charging infrastructure. By utilizing dynamic charging technology, the need to stop the vehicle for charging is eliminated, and the onboard battery pack can be smaller, reducing manufacturing costs while maximizing power output. This system is seen as a practical and economically viable solution to reducing emissions in the mining industry.