HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY PARTNERS WITH FIRST QUANTUM MINERALS

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd. and First Quantum Minerals Ltd recently announced that they have entered into a Letter of Intent to advance the development of sustainable mining solutions at First Quantum’s flagship mining operations in Zambia.

A proof of concept will be implemented as part of the LOI; Hitachi Construction Machinery supplying the first of its full battery, rigid frame dump trucks fitted with an ABB Ltd battery, on-board charger and associated infrastructure by the end of FY2023 for technological feasibility trials at First Quantum’s Kansanshi copper-gold mine operations, including the S3 expansion projected for commissioning and first production in 2025.

Hitachi Construction Machinery and First Quantum have a long-standing relationship that will be further strengthened through this LOI and POC. The Kansanshi mine is ideally suited to these trials due to its existing trolley assist systems, which align with the development of battery dump trucks. First Quantum currently operates 41 Hitachi Construction Machinery (diesel) trolley trucks at Kansanshi, meaning much of the required infrastructure for the battery dump truck is already in place.

Developed in collaboration with ABB, Hitachi Construction Machinery’s battery dump truck utilizes on-board energy storage and trolley systems to generate power. Via a pantograph, the battery dump truck connects to overhead power lines, drawing power to allow the truck to run. At the same time, the generated energy is used to charge the battery system. This is separate to the regenerated power from the retarder braking system which will generate a high level of charge during haul road descent.

First Quantum’s fleet of Hitachi Construction Machinery equipment includes 39 EH3500ACII and two EH3500AC-3 rigid dump trucks across its mining operations in Zambia, as well as several construction-sized machinery across global operations. A further 40 EH4000AC-3 dump trucks equipped with the latest HCM/Bradken robust tray designs are on order for first delivery to Kansanshi in 2023, to support its S3 expansion project as it’s scaled up.

Continued collaboration through this battery dump truck trial is expected to directly contribute to ongoing optimization of technology, infrastructure, safety and onsite deployment strategies and processes for mining sector benefit as we approach a future of energy transition and increased demand for low-carbon equipment.