China Deployed World’s Largest Electric Autonomous Mining Fleet

On May 15, China marked a major milestone in smart mining with the official deployment of its first fleet of 100 fully electric, autonomous mining trucks. This launch signals a transition from pilot testing to large-scale application of autonomous technology in the mining sector, accelerating the country’s development of intelligent, low-carbon mines.

The fleet, now operating at the Huaneng Yimin Open-Pit Mine, features sleek white trucks with no driver cabins—these vehicles are completely unmanned. Each truck is powered by a 564 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery. A full battery swap takes under six minutes, while a full charge requires about an hour. On a single charge, each truck can carry up to 90 tons of material over a distance of approximately 60 kilometers. This setup enables fully autonomous, zero-emission mining operations from end to end.

According to Shu Yingqiu, General Manager of the Yimin mine, all the trucks are powered by solar-generated green electricity. They deliver 20% higher transport efficiency compared to conventional diesel trucks and are designed to operate reliably even in extreme cold—down to minus 40 degrees Celsius. They’re also built to handle the rough conditions typical of open-pit mines, including heavy vibration, bumps, and impact.Each year, the fleet is expected to replace over 15,000 tons of diesel fuel and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 48,000 tons—highlighting its strong environmental benefits. Beyond zero-emission operations, the trucks are equipped with advanced autonomous driving systems that enable self-perception, intelligent route planning, and real-time decision-making. They also integrate with smart dispatch and equipment monitoring platforms, supporting fully automated operations across the entire mining workflow—from loading and hauling to unloading and battery swapping.

This project demonstrates a significant step forward in building sustainable, intelligent mining ecosystems and showcases China’s growing leadership in green industrial transformation.

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