XCMG has delivered 100 autonomous mining trucks, which have begun operating at the Huaneng Yimin Mine. Source: PRNewsfoto/XCMG Machinery
Mining is one industry that has embraced autonomous vehicles. Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co., or XCMG, this week announced that it has delivered 100 all-electric uncrewed mining trucks to the Huaneng Yimin Open-Pit Coal Mine in Inner Mongolia, China.
The Xuzhou, China-based company claimed that the Yimin Mine is “the world’s first mining site to operate a fleet of 100 zero-carbon, fully autonomous electric haul trucks,” marking a milestone in sustainable mining practices and cross-industry collaboration.
“This initiative represents a convergence of energy, technological, equipment, and commercial revolutions,” stated Yang Dongsheng, chairman of XCMG Group and XCMG Machinery.
“By partnering with industry leaders, XCMG has delivered a world-class blueprint for global green, intelligent mining,” he added. “Starting with autonomous electric trucks, we will expand to unmanned excavators, drilling rigs, and loaders, creating a comprehensive zero-carbon, unmanned mining ecosystem.”
Autonomous mining trucks include power management
XCMG asserted that its self-driving vehicle fleet integrates smart battery-swapping technology, autonomous vehicle clusters, and green energy technologies. The system incorporates cutting-edge innovations such as unmanned driving, 5G connectivity, AI-powered safety management, and photovoltaic-generated electricity.
The company claimed that its autonomous, all-electric mining trucks have achieved high-efficiency performance benchmarks:
- Extreme weather resilience: They can operate in temperatures as low as -40°C (-40°F), supporting round-the-clock operations.
- Rapid battery swapping: Fully automated battery replacement takes less than six minutes.
- Superior productivity: The vehicles offer 120% efficiency compared with traditional manually driven fleets.
XCMG touts sustainability in coal mining
The Yimin Mine’s 100-vehicle fleet will replace over 15,000 tons of diesel consumption annually, reducing CO2 emissions by 48,000 tons, said XCMG. The company said this demonstrates its dedication to combatting climate change.
Li Shuxue, chairman of Huaneng Inner Mongolia East Energy Co., added that the project has broader significance.
“This fully domestic, zero-carbon solution empowers mining with AI, enhances safety, and accelerates the industry’s digital transformation,” he said. “It is a pivotal step toward overcoming reliance on imported heavy equipment and advancing China’s high-quality development in mining.”
XCMG said it is driving the future of mining through digitalization, intelligent innovation, and sustainable practices. The company added that its industry expertise, strategic partnerships, and innovative systems will help set new global standards for smart, zero-carbon mining.
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