JAPAN REPORT
By Akihiro Komuro, Research Analyst, Far East and Southeast Asia
Hitachi Construction Machinery said it is demonstrating a rechargeable all-electric dump truck at a mine in Zambia. It’s the world’s first demonstration of an ultra-large machine with a payload capacity of 200 tons.
Operating conditions and battery life will be verified over a one-year period. The original plan was to have the system in operation by the end of 2024, but the company now plans to launch it in 2025 or later.
The overhead wires will be installed along the mine’s route and the battery will be recharged as it travels along the route. This system allows for more efficient operation than recharging at stops. The batteries mounted on the vehicle body will also be lighter, increasing the payload capacity of the dump truck.
It is estimated that half of a mining company’s CO2 emissions come from transportation and mining operations at the mine site. Hitachi Construction Machinery estimates that by replacing conventional diesel-powered dump trucks with all-electric dump trucks, the annual CO2 emissions per truck (approximately 3,000 tons) can be reduced to zero.
Source: The Nikkei
PSR Analysis: Electric models are also being developed in the field of mining equipment, where high output power is required. Power supply by overhead wires is the best solution at this point. I forecast that electric mining equipment will continue to be powered primarily by overhead power lines. Batteries themselves are heavy, and if they eat up the loading capacity of trucks, they will greatly affect efficiency. In addition, considering the time required to recharge large-capacity batteries, it is desirable to be able to supply power while the machine is in operation. PSR
