MAROKO133 Eksklusif ai: 384-ton battery-powered dump truck showcases its power in recent d

📌 MAROKO133 Eksklusif ai: 384-ton battery-powered dump truck showcases its power i

In a significant move toward sustainable mining, Hitachi Construction Machinery successfully demonstrated its full battery-powered dump truck at the Kansanshi Copper Mine in Zambia. The event, held on April 15, 2026, brought together nearly 30 mining customers from around the world to witness the company’s latest innovation in action.

The showcase highlighted both the environmental and operational capabilities of the battery-powered dump truck. Built on the results of a technological feasibility trial conducted between June 2024 and August 2025, the vehicle demonstrated strong performance under real mining conditions. First Quantum Minerals collaborated in the project, providing infrastructure and operational expertise at the Kansanshi site.

Truck has ability to operate and charge simultaneously

A key feature of the demonstration was the truck’s ability to operate and charge simultaneously using overhead trolley lines, ensuring continuous operation without compromising efficiency. Visitors also inspected the truck’s design, which maintains stability and maneuverability without altering its load weight or center of gravity.

One of the most notable outcomes of the trial was the truck’s zero CO₂ emissions during operation, made possible by Zambia’s energy mix, where around 92% of electricity is generated from hydropower.

“We are delighted to have successfully completed the technological feasibility trial in partnership with First Quantum and to have showcased the results to many customers. The ‘S’ in ‘LANDCROS,’ our new company name and brand effective April 1, 2027, embodies our desire to propose innovative Solutions,” said Hiroshi Kanezawa, Hitachi Construction Machinery Executive Officer, Vice President of Mining Business Unit.

“The real-world operating data obtained from this technological feasibility trial demonstrates the Full Battery Dump Truck’s capability for continuous operation in actual mine sites, enabling us to propose optimal operational plans and trolley line designs. We will continue to refine this innovative technology and solutions with a view to commercial deployment in FY2027, contributing to sustainable mining operations by leveraging diverse power sources while achieving zero emissions and greater energy efficiency.”

Truck also delivered improved acceleration

In addition to environmental benefits, the truck also delivered improved acceleration and reduced noise levels, enhancing both productivity and working conditions at the mine. Over the course of testing, the vehicle covered more than 4,000 km and transported over 30,000 tons of material, validating its reliability and performance.

The successful demonstration marks a crucial step toward commercialization planned for fiscal year 2027. According to company officials, the real-world data collected during the trial provides strong validation for the truck’s long-term viability in mining operations.

The initiative is part of Hitachi Construction Machinery’s broader strategy to contribute to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the mining sector. The company also showcased a range of complementary technologies during the event, including electric excavators, trolley trucks, and digital solutions designed to optimize mining operations.

The collaboration between Hitachi Construction Machinery and First Quantum Minerals underscores a growing trend in the mining industry: the shift toward electrification and decarbonization. As global demand for minerals rises—especially those critical for the energy transition—companies are under increasing pressure to reduce their environmental footprint.

By combining battery technology with existing trolley infrastructure, the showcased dump truck represents a practical pathway to sustainable mining, balancing productivity with environmental responsibility.

The Zambia demonstration signals a turning point for mining equipment innovation. With proven performance, zero emissions, and strong industry interest, Hitachi Construction Machinery’s full battery dump truck could play a pivotal role in reshaping the future of mining—making it cleaner, quieter, and more efficient.

“Pit electrification is an area of focus for First Quantum as we seek productive, safe and profitable decarbonization of our mining activities in order to deliver lower carbon intensity copper that will be essential for the global energy transition,” said Gordon White, Director of Mining Operations and Technology for First Quantum Minerals. 

“We are honored that the Kansanshi Copper Mine could contribute as a site for the Full Battery Dump Truck verification tests through our zero-emission partnership with Hitachi Construction Machinery. Our extensive trolley line infrastructure and Zambia’s renewable energy provided an optimal environment for validating this groundbreaking technology. The success of the trial marks a significant step towards decarbonization in the mining industry, and we are confident that our collaboration with Hitachi Construction Machinery is indispensable for achieving sustainable mining operations in the future.”

🔗 Sumber: interestingengineering.com

📌 MAROKO133 Update ai: China eyes near-100% electric trucks to secure energy secur

Industrial leaders in China believe the nation is on track to replace its heavy-duty freight truck fleet with electric vehicles (EVs). If achieved, this, they believe, should cut emissions in the industry by as much as 50%.

At present, most nations rely heavily on heavy-duty trucks to keep their economies in motion. While effective, large freight vehicles consume huge amounts of fuel, such as diesel, which is notoriously polluting.

These trucks are vital for moving goods around for many industries, and often run long distances, often continuously. If this could be electrified, the impact on oil consumption and impact on the environment, it is argued, could be slashed.

“As a means of production, economics is the core consideration,” Liang Linhe, chairman of Sany Truck, said at an industry forum on April 11. According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), he estimated that much lower transport costs would drive market penetration to a point “even potentially approaching 100 per cent, leaving little room for diesel trucks”.

Truck electrification could slash diesel consumption

And if any nation could pull this off, it should be China. The nation has spent years, even decades, building up its domestic logistics capacity, and trucks are a large part of that. At the same time, they have invested massively in EV technology with some of the largest companies, like BYD, already dominating the global supply of batteries and vehicles.

But for 100% replacement of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, a means of making cheaper batteries will be key. In fact, battery swapping will likely play a major role.

The idea is that instead of waiting, perhaps hours, to charge, if batteries could be swapped out, this would dramatically slash commercial fleet downtime. Less lost time translates directly into making it more commercially viable.

And this really is the bottom dollar. If EV trucks can be shown to be just as effective but cheaper, then fleet operators will jump at the chance to switch over. That, Linhe argued, is the key to making this work.

For China’s economy, this would be a huge boon as it currently relies heavily on oil imports from regions like the Middle East. In fact, about 40% alone comes from the Gulf, and any impact on supply (like the US-Iran conflict) can hurt its economy very badly.

So, electrification of the fleet is not just about cost, but will also play a vital role in Chinese energy independence in the future. “Forecasting a precise market share is difficult given current global uncertainties,” said Albert Hu, CEO of CiDi, a Hong Kong-listed company that builds driverless commercial vehicles.

Vital for Chinese energy independence

“That said, the volatility of oil prices remains a critical concern for fleet operators, making the economic case for new-energy trucks stronger than ever,” he added.

“It is obvious that China’s comprehensive automotive and industrial supply chains and the deep pool [of] engineering talent are giving us quite some advantages,” he said.

However, to get there, some critical hurdles need to be navigated first. Batteries are still very heavy, which reduces payload capacity and ultimately range.

While battery swapping would help, the current charging infrastructure is still a bottleneck in most countries, and grid capacity also needs to be upgraded prior to the mass rollout of charging stations nationwide.

For this reason, electrification will likely be seen in industries like mining, ports, and short-haul initially, with expansion to the general freight sector much later. But time and tide will tell.

🔗 Sumber: interestingengineering.com