Hitachi Construction Machinery recently hosted a “Battery Truck & Electrification Showcase”, a technical demonstration of its Full Battery Dump Truck for mining customers, last month at First Quantum Minerals Ltd.’s Kansanshi Copper Mine in Zambia.
During the showcase, Hitachi Construction Machinery reported the successful demonstration of both environmental and operational performance by the Full Battery Dump Truck, building on the results of a technological feasibility trial conducted at the same mine from June 2024 to August 2025.
Close to 30 mining customers from approximately 25 companies attended the showcase, observing the Full Battery Dump Truck operating and charging under overhead trolley lines. Participants also had the opportunity to board the stationary Full Battery Dump Truck, inspecting its design which maintains maneuverability and stability without changing its gross vehicle weight when loaded and center of gravity. Attendees expressed high expectations for its contribution to a decarbonized society and enhanced productivity.
The technological feasibility trial was conducted with the cooperation of First Quantum, a company with extensive experience in operating trolley dump trucks, utilising existing trolley line infrastructure and technology developed by the company.
With 92% of Zambia’s power supply coming from hydropower, ensuring a high proportion of renewable energy, in this optimal environment, the Full Battery Dump Truck achieved zero CO2 emissions during trial operations and demonstrated improved acceleration and reduced noise levels.
The Full Battery Dump Truck covered a total haul road distance of over 4,000km and transported more than 30,000 tons, performing as per its development concept. Crucially, obtaining real-world operating data from the mine site provides the strongest validation for its commercialisation in FY2027.
The showcase also provided the opportunity for invited guests to see a full suite of Hitachi Construction Machinery Group products in operation and on display including its electric excavators (EX5600-7E), diesel variant trolley trucks (EH4000AC-3) and Bradken buckets and dump bodies. Digital solutions such as Wenco FMS and the recently launched LANDCROS Connect Insight were also demonstrated – offering customers a chance to observe and recognise Hitachi’s holistic approach to providing solutions beyond machinery for the future of mining.
Continual refinement
Hitachi Construction Machinery said it will continue to refine the Full Battery Dump Truck through co-creation with partner companies, including First Quantum, contributing to the realization of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from mining machinery.
Commenting on the trial Hiroshi Kanezawa, Hitachi Construction Machinery Executive Officer, Vice President of Mining Business Unit, said: “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.
“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.”
Gordon White, Director of Mining Operations and Technology for First Quantum Minerals, added: 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.
“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.”
