In an effort to reduce emissions in the mining industry, Hitachi Construction Machinery is currently testing a battery-powered mega tipper prototype at the Kansanshi open-pit copper-gold mine in Zambia. The prototype is based on the Hitachi EH4000 AC-3 dump truck and features a 2,500-horsepower Cummins engine, 74 cm tires, and a 221-ton payload.
Testing is underway to verify the performance of the vehicle and the supporting infrastructure. The project team hopes that the vehicle will be able to operate continuously with the existing network of overhead charging lines, eliminating the need for stoppage during charging and reducing the size of the on-board battery. This results in lower production costs and increased energy efficiency.
The development of this battery electric dump truck is part of a partnership between Hitachi Construction Machinery and ABB, which aims towards zero emissions from mining machinery. The project is scheduled to launch in June 2021, with First Quantum Minerals joining as a partner in 2023.
Mining has long been known as a highly polluting industry, but companies are now taking steps towards sustainability by reducing emissions from their operations. This innovative solution from Hitachi Construction Machinery and ABB could have significant benefits for Zambia, where a large percentage of energy is obtained from renewable sources.