A battery-powered dump truck is being trialled by Canada-based mining and metals company First Quantum Minerals (FQM) at its Kansanshi mine, in Zambia, which the miner says marks the world’s first technological feasibility study of an ultra-large, full battery rigid-frame dump truck.

The trial, which started on June 27, is a significant step in the mining industry’s ongoing transition towards sustainable practices and reducing carbon emissions.

This initiative is a collaborative effort with construction equipment supplier Hitachi Construction Machinery (HCM), a partner that FQM has worked with successfully on multiple projects.

The trial aims to verify the operational performance of the battery-powered dump truck under actual mining conditions, with key aspects under review, including the truck’s ability to travel, turn and stop while handling real-world operating loads.

It will also assess the efficiency of the truck’s battery charging and discharging cycles.

FQM hopes to demonstrate that the dump truck can operate exclusively on battery power, being charged through the mine’s trolley line system, says FQM Zambia country director Anthony Mukutuma.

The one-year trial can be extended to monitor the battery’s ageing process, while the outcome will guide FQM’s future decisions on the potential wider adoption of battery-powered trucks across its other operations. This can further reduce the company’s environmental impact and set a new standard for the mining industry.

“This trial reflects FQM’s commitment to sustainable mining and innovative technologies that reduce environmental impact and enhance productivity. We are eager to see the results and plan our next steps in this exciting journey towards a more sustainable future.”

Further, FQM’s partnering with HCM is pivotal to the success of the trial; the partnership was formalised on March 1, 2023, with the signing of a letter of intent for a zero-emissions partnership, adds Mukutuma.

HCM’s role in the project includes providing fully electric trial machines equipped with advanced battery systems and their related operating systems. It is also assisting in redesigning Kansanshi’s existing trolley infrastructure to accommodate future technological innovations.

Mukutuma says the longstanding partnership has enabled FQM to leverage technology to improve productivity and sustainability in its operations.

Sustainability, Environmental Impact

Using battery-powered dump trucks aligns with FQM’s broader sustainability goals, which focus on economically viable investments, technically appropriate operations, environmentally sound practices and socially responsible actions.

Considering that the shift to electric trucks is expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions at Kansanshi mine, Mukutuma notes these electric trucks can save 1.2-million litres of diesel a year, which equates to a reduction of about 3 000 t of CO₂ emissions.

FQM also reports that the local community in Zambia has responded positively to the introduction of this new technology at the mine.

Mukutuma notes that residents “take pride” in the mine’s efforts to use advanced technologies and improved processes to mitigate the environmental impacts of mining.

In this regard, FQM is also investing in other innovative technologies to enhance the sustainability of its operations.

For instance, the Kansanshi mine has deployed the Wenco high-precision fleet-management system, which has significantly improved operational efficiency and reduced energy waste, while rolling out the Wenco high-precision drilling system across FQM’s drilling equipment has led to better blast results and reduced environmental hazards.

Meanwhile, FQM is actively exploring other renewable-energy projects in Zambia.

Plans include the development of a 430 MW renewable-energy system comprising a 230 MW solar PV plant and a 200 MW wind farm.

These projects aim to provide clean and inexpensive energy to support FQM’s mining operations and further reduce its carbon footprint.

Mukutuma notes that FQM has been expanding its electrification efforts in the mining industry, being an early adopter of trolley-assist technology and operating fleets of electric shovels and drills.

The company envisions a future where electric vehicles and equipment play a central role in mining operations, lowering reliance on fossil fuels and reducing environmental impact.

“The move towards greater electrification in the mining industry is already well under way,” he says, adding that FQM has been a pioneer in this area, and that in Zambia, where 80% of the miner’s energy is generated from renewables, this transition is even more impactful.