• Hitachi completes battery-powered mining truck trial at Zambia copper mine
• Truck logged 4,000 km, transported 30,000 tons, zero CO2 emissions
• Electric mining market growing rapidly despite cost, safety, infrastructure challenges

Hitachi Construction Machinery announced on Friday that it has completed a public demonstration of its fully battery-powered mining truck at the Kansanshi copper mine in Zambia. The milestone concludes a trial period running from June 2024 to August 2025, conducted in partnership with Canadian mine owner First Quantum Minerals. The project is a key part of industry-wide efforts to decarbonize mining, which remains one of the world's largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions.

Over the course of the year-long trial, the Japanese equipment manufacturer’s truck covered more than 4,000 kilometers on haul roads and transported over 30,000 tons of material. Hitachi reported zero CO2 emissions during operation—a result bolstered by Zambia’s power grid, where 92% of electricity is generated by hydroelectric plants. Meanwhile, in Australia, BHP and Rio Tinto launched joint trials of battery-powered Caterpillar trucks at the Jimblebar iron ore mine in December 2025.

A Rapidly Expanding Market

Interest in electric mining equipment has moved well beyond the experimental phase. According to Market Research Future, the global market was valued at $1.70 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $5.26 billion by 2035, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.82%. This growth is fueled by the alignment between electric vehicle capabilities and the aggressive climate targets set by mining majors.

The International Council on Mining and Metals notes that mining and metals production accounted for 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2024, ranking the sector sixth among the world’s largest emitters. Under pressure to decarbonize, companies view electric fleets as a primary way to reduce their carbon footprint while improving operational efficiency. Both Rio Tinto and BHP have committed to reaching net-zero operational emissions by 2050.

"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," said Gordon White, director of mining operations and technology at First Quantum.

Efficiency Gains and Lingering Hurdles

Electric motors offer significant technical advantages over internal combustion. While traditional diesel engines typically have an energy efficiency of less than 30%, electric motors can reach 90%. This advantage is even more pronounced in underground mining, where removing diesel exhaust significantly lowers overhead. One Swedish study found that switching to an electric fleet can reduce ventilation costs by as much as 86.7%.

Despite these benefits, the industry is moving forward with caution. The upfront cost of an electric mining truck can be double that of a diesel equivalent, and overall profitability depends on the specific infrastructure of each site. Recent industry surveys highlight two primary barriers to adoption: high capital expenditure and a lack of proven reliability at scale.

Safety also remains a concern, particularly underground. Battery fires are considerably harder to suppress than diesel engine fires in confined spaces. Furthermore, the environmental benefit depends on the availability of "green" charging infrastructure; without low-emission power sources, greenhouse gas emissions are simply shifted from the truck to the local power plant.

Hitachi plans to bring its truck to market in fiscal year 2027. BHP and Rio Tinto have yet to decide whether to scale up their electric fleets following their joint Australian trial. Ultimately, the market's commercial viability will be the deciding factor.

Emiliano Tossou