Electrified operations:
Trialing a world first

Moving towards decarbonized mining

First Quantum, in partnership with Hitachi, has taken the next step toward the decarbonization of mining through the trial of the world’s first ever Ultra-large Full Battery Dump Truck combined with trolley assist technology at its Kansanshi copper and gold mine in Zambia.
This partnership has driven trials at First Quantum’s Kansanshi operation. The trials, which started in June 2024, aim to verify the practical performance of all rock haulage operations required of a battery-powered dump truck under actual operating conditions, as well as the verification of dynamic battery charging and discharging cycles.

“The battery dump truck represents the future, not only for the Hitachi Construction Machinery Group but for the mining industry as a whole, and we are pleased to establish this proving ground on an active mine site and work with First Quantum.”

Eiji Fukunishi,

President of Mining Business Unit, Hitachi Construction Machinery

Innovation lays the foundation for change
As world leaders in trolley system operations, with state-of-the-art in-house technology and development, First Quantum made the perfect partner to host this trial. Our existing trolly system, first implemented in 2011, established First Quantum as leaders in this transformative technology. Our pragmatic approach to sustainable innovations is exemplified by our trolley-assist solution, Quantum Electra-Haul™, which has provided tangible on-the-ground results.

Our facility provides Hitachi with the necessary infrastructure and facilities to comprehensively test the new dump truck, such as on-ramp overhead dynamic charging solutions and a variety of haul circuits in an actual operating mining environment.

John Gregory, First Quantum’s Director of Mining, commented, “The trial of this Full Battery Dump Truck at First Quantum’s Kansanshi mine has real significance for the global mining sector, as it combines this new technology with our proven trolley assist systems. The world needs copper to be mined in a responsible manner. Mining is no longer just an extractive industry, and we need to contribute responsibly to the environment and to the communities around us. Transitioning to a battery-powered electrified mining fleet with little to no impact on payload, production and fleet size is only achievable in conjunction with Trolley Assist. First Quantum has mastered this technology by working with Hitachi Construction Machinery to provide stable platforms with multiple trucks on the overhead line at the same time. This system is operational, practical and represents an economically feasible solution that will reduce emissions in global mining as other companies follow our lead.”

With environmental awareness ever more important to the mining industry, there is a growing interest in the electrification of mining machinery as part of the mix to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. This program, along with developments on solar and wind projects, shows our commitment to finding new, more environmentally conscious ways to continue to meet society’s demand for copper and other minerals.