What's Happening?
Rio Tinto has initiated a trial of battery-swap electric haul trucks at the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia, in collaboration with China's State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) Qiyuan. This trial involves eight 91-ton Tonly trucks and 13 batteries,
each with an 800 kWh capacity, along with a battery swapping station and supporting infrastructure. The trucks are being used for tailings dam construction and topsoil transport, providing Rio Tinto with practical experience in operating and maintaining a battery-electric haulage and swap-charging system. The battery-swap technology allows for the replacement of a depleted battery in under seven minutes, enhancing fleet efficiency by reducing downtime associated with fixed charging facilities.
Why It's Important?
This trial represents a significant step in Rio Tinto's efforts to reduce emissions from its haulage fleet, which is a major contributor to its Scope 1 and 2 carbon footprint. By partnering with SPIC Qiyuan, Rio Tinto is leveraging China's advanced battery swap technology to accelerate low-carbon innovation. The insights gained from this trial will inform Rio Tinto's evaluation of battery-swap technology across its broader fleet of 700 haul trucks, potentially advancing its decarbonization goals and operational excellence. This initiative highlights the importance of strategic partnerships in developing cost-effective, low-emission alternatives in the mining industry.
What's Next?
The equipment will be tested through to the end of 2026, with the insights gained guiding Rio Tinto's evaluation of battery-swap technology across its wider fleet. This could lead to broader adoption of battery-swap systems, particularly for the small to medium payload category of trucks, enhancing Rio Tinto's sustainability efforts.
