Japanese company Hitachi has begun major tests of an electric super dump truck at an open-pit copper and gold mine in Zambia. The battery-powered prototype is undergoing performance testing, while engineers are checking the supporting infrastructure.
Despite being considered a very harmful process for the environment, mining has sought a series of efforts to reduce this profile. At least when it comes to heavy machinery. GM, Fortescue, Caterpillar and Anglo American, for example, have also presented models in this regard.
Related video
Read too:
Development of the electric supertruck by Hitachi Construction Machinery began in June 2021, supported by key partners. In 2023, mining company First Quantum Minerals joined the effort, agreeing to feasibility tests for the truck at its Kansanshi copper/gold mine in Zambia – where several Hitachi trucks were already in operation.
Image: Disclosure/Hitachi
A super truck for hundreds of tons
These vehicles operate on either an internal combustion engine or electrical power from overhead wires. The battery-electric version of the supertruck promises to completely eliminate diesel emissions, a significant advantage considering that 92% of Zambia’s energy comes from renewable sources.
Initial testing of the prototype was completed in January this year. See a little of the “big truck” in action:
The battery-electric model is based on the Hitachi EH4000 AC-3, which is 14 meters long and 7.14 meters high (similar to the height of a two-story house). The tires are 74 cm (29 inches).
Powered by a 2,500 hp Cummins engine, the supertruck also features regenerative braking (which helps reduce the need for stops to recharge). With a load capacity of 243.6 tons, the vehicle must operate continuously in the mine also thanks to the network of aerial loading lines.
While the exact capacity of the battery has not been disclosed, the dynamic charging setup should allow for a smaller battery size. This would reduce production costs and maximize payload capacity.
Via New Atlas
