The largest autonomous mining truck
The electrification of transport is an unavoidable process and has already achieved a dominant position in all aspects. Whether the best-selling electric SUV in Spain is Chinese-made and produced in Zaragoza, or the goal is to manufacture 100,000 electric and autonomous trucks by 2030, the mining sector is also showing significant progress.
The People's Republic of China has developed a remarkably impressive electric mining truck, without the need for a cab. Recently, the world's largest electric mining truck was unveiled, with a carrying capacity of 230 tons. This achievement represents a significant milestone in the field of technology and innovation. The best part? It will soon be autonomous.
230,000 kg without using a drop of diesel.
While the largest mining truck globally is the BelAZ 75710, with a load capacity of up to 460 tons, powered by two 2,300 hp diesel engines; If we opt for diesel-free alternatives, Chinese manufacturers hold the leading position.
Regarding the heavy machinery company Zijin Longking, it's worth noting that on August 10th, they unveiled the ZL230E model in Longyan, China. This three-axle vehicle boasts a payload capacity of 230,000 kg, or 230 tons.
This electric mining truck, specifically designed for mineral extraction, weighs 120 tons unladen and operates without diesel fuel. Instead, it utilizes a hybrid propulsion system equipped with two 800 kW electric motors, equivalent to 1,088 hp each.
While its top speed is 55 km/h, high performance isn't the primary focus; however, this Chinese-made electric mining truck can transport up to 230,000 kg of cargo, equivalent to 125 cubic meters of volume, in a single operation.
To achieve this, a high-capacity battery pack with 1,418 kWh of stored energy is used. Although the exact range is not available, it is known that the battery can reach 90% charge in an extremely short time of just 25 minutes.
The largest electric mining truck will be autonomous.
This truck itself represents a significant feat in the fields of mechanical engineering and electric vehicles. However, in the near future, this technology could reach a level of autonomy that eliminates dependence on a human driver.
The reason for this collaboration is that Zijin Longking developed this truck in partnership with the Australian company EACON, which specializes in autonomous mining. Thanks to this strategic cooperation agreement, both companies will collaborate closely in areas of common interest, such as autonomous mining vehicles, smart mines, and renewable energy mining equipment.
EACON stands as an undisputed leader in the field of autonomous driving technology for mining trucks. Its advanced technology has been successfully implemented in more than 40 large-scale mines, where the Australian company operates a total of more than 3,100 autonomous mining trucks. This driverless fleet has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 150 million kilometers traveled without human intervention.
The agreement between the manufacturer of the world's largest electric mining truck and the Australian company will focus on three key aspects. First, they will jointly develop autonomous solutions, leveraging Zijin Lianhui's electric truck platform, which includes one capable of carrying 230,000 kg.
The second aspect is promoting its large-scale deployment in real-world operating environments; and the third is building a joint industrial ecosystem to establish industry standards and drive the development of driverless mining technology.
