Hitachi Construction Machinery and First Quantum Minerals have signed a letter of intent to advance sustainable mining solutions at the Kansanshi copper-gold mine operations in Zambia. In a proof of concept, Hitachi Construction Machinery will provide the first full battery, rigid frame dump truck fitted with an ABB battery, on-board charger and associated infrastructure by the end of FY2023 for technological feasibility trials at Kansanshi.
This partnership will enable Hitachi Construction Machinery to validate its zero-emission mining product and allow First Quantum to progress towards reducing its operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and achieving its long-term sustainability goals.
The flagship Kansanshi mine is ideally suited to the trials due to its existing trolley assist systems, which align with the development of battery dump trucks. First Quantum currently operates 41 Hitachi Construction Machinery (diesel) trolley trucks at Kansanshi, meaning much of the required infrastructure for the battery dump truck is already in place.
Furthermore, the retrofittable system design allows current diesel truck fleets to be converted in the future to utilize the battery system, offering scalable fleet capability, minimal operational impact and greater value for sustainability focused miner First Quantum.
“In collaborating with Hitachi Construction Machinery on battery dump trucks, we look forward to the next phase of pit electrification as we seek to further reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in line with our target of a 50% reduction by 2030,” said John Gregory, Director of Mining for First Quantum Minerals.
Source: Press Release
Image Source: Hitachi