Rio Tinto has partnered with China’s State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) to demonstrate battery swap electric haul truck technology at the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia. The two-year project will involve eight mining haul trucks with a 91-tonne payload, 13 batteries rated at 800kWh, and a robotic battery swap and charging station for non-production activities in the mine’s aboveground operations.
Battery swapping allows electric vehicles to quickly exchange depleted battery packs for fully charged ones, significantly reducing downtime compared to traditional static charging stations. This technology is already utilized in mining operations across China, and the collaboration aims to explore its potential in efficiently decarbonizing Rio Tinto’s operations.
Rio Tinto operates approximately 700 haul trucks globally, with around 100 classified as small or medium class (100–200 tonne payload). The first truck is expected to arrive at Oyu Tolgoi this year, with the remaining seven trucks and the battery swap infrastructure operational by mid-2025.
Rio Tinto Chief Decarbonisation Officer Jonathon McCarthy said: “By partnering with the State Power Investment Corporation, we will be demonstrating the latest technology and innovation available in China and assessing its potential to help decarbonise our operations quickly and cost effectively.
“This demonstration will allow us to explore applications for battery swap technology that deliver more flexibility and less downtime than current static charging technologies. This work will complement the electrification pilots of ultra class mining haul trucks planned for the Pilbara.”
“We look forward to partnering on more opportunities in the future to apply China’s innovations to the global resources sector and contribute to the world’s low-carbon transition.”
Chairman of State Power Investment Group Capital Holding Co., Ltd Han Zhiwei said: “Through our collaboration with Rio Tinto, we are bringing leading green transportation innovations to the international market, showcasing the strength of Chinese enterprises in the field of green technology innovation. We hope our low-carbon technologies will assist Rio Tinto in achieving its decarbonisation targets, and we look forward to continued cooperation between both parties to jointly promote the application of green energy.”
Oyu Tolgoi Chief Executive Officer Deirdre Lingenfelder said: “We are proud the Oyu Tolgoi team is playing a pivotal role in advancing this innovative technology on behalf of Rio Tinto. This project represents a significant step in our ongoing decarbonisation journey, aligning closely with Oyu Tolgoi’s strategic commitment to sustainable growth. By expanding our use of underground battery electric equipment and implementing other emissions reduction initiatives, we are actively driving progress toward a net zero-carbon future for our operations.”
Technical experts from Rio Tinto and Oyu Tolgoi have collaborated with SPIC and truck manufacturer Tonly to adjust equipment design to meet Rio Tinto’s electrical and truck safety requirements. The trucks will be used for tailings dam rehabilitation work and topsoil movement, operated and maintained by Oyu Tolgoi personnel. Each battery is expected to last up to eight hours, depending on the workload, and the battery swap process takes around seven minutes.
Rio Tinto is committed to reaching net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050 and believes Chinese innovation and technologies can play an important role in achieving this goal.
Source: Business Wire
