NEWS & EVENTS
Extreme Cold Challenge: Autonomous Electric Mining Trucks Lead the Zero-Carbon Future
From lush green summers to snow-covered winters, the Huaneng Yimin Open-Pit Mine in Inner Mongolia experiences an annual temperature difference exceeding 60°C. In December, temperatures plunge below -30°C, yet fleets of autonomous pure electric mining trucks continue operating efficiently across the frozen mine, forming a powerful “steel flow” amid extreme cold conditions.
Stable Performance in Extreme Cold
Designed specifically for harsh environments, the autonomous electric mining trucks feature reinforced frames and dump bodies made from special materials, while their transmission, hydraulic, and braking systems are optimally calibrated to withstand temperatures as low as -40°C. Equipped with a 568 kWh battery, the trucks deliver strong endurance and stable three-electric-system performance even under prolonged low-temperature conditions. This outstanding environmental adaptability ensures uninterrupted, year-round mining operations and reliable productivity throughout the winter season.
Zero-Carbon Pioneer for Green Mining
Powered by a photovoltaic green-energy system, the trucks utilize mobile battery swap stations, enabling fully automated battery replacement in just six minutes, effectively eliminating range anxiety. At the Yimin mine alone, over 100 autonomous electric mining trucks replace more than 15,000 tons of diesel annually, reducing 48,000 tons of CO₂ emissions—equivalent to planting 2.18 million trees. This zero-carbon operation model is transforming the mine from a traditional energy consumer into a modern green industrial site.
Built-In Safety Through Intelligent Technology
As the world’s first large-scale fleet of autonomous electric mining trucks, the system integrates multiple safety redundancies, including 360-degree environmental perception, obstacle recognition, active collision avoidance, and dynamic path planning. Combined with cloud-based scheduling, intelligent sensing systems, and automotive-grade control technology, the fleet achieves fully unmanned, end-to-end intelligent transportation while ensuring a high level of intrinsic safety in complex mining environments.
Outstanding Economic Efficiency
With a haul distance of six kilometers, the fleet completes approximately 24.5 million cubic meters of stripping operations annually, with an operating cost of about RMB 6.53 per cubic meter, significantly lower than local outsourced rates. Daily effective working hours exceed 22 hours, achieving more than 120% efficiency compared to manual operation, while reducing the need for 136 drivers and saving around RMB 27.2 million in labor costs each year. These tangible economic benefits open new pathways for cost reduction and efficiency improvement.
From the peak heat of August to the deep freeze of December, the fleet operates continuously through all seasons. As a global pioneer in zero-carbon intelligent mining solutions, XCMG delivers a full-ecosystem approach integrating green energy management, sustainable components, intelligent equipment, autonomous construction, and circular utilization—leading the global mining industry toward a greener, smarter, and more sustainable future.
