en.Wedoany.com Reported - Chile's National Copper Corporation (Codelco) has made a key advancement in assessing electric mobility for mining: its joint pilot project with China's Sany Heavy Industry, testing the transport of 27 tons of copper ore between the Radomiro Tomic division and the port of Angamos, covering a one-way distance of 680 kilometers. This route, with a cumulative elevation gain exceeding 2500 meters and requiring passage through high-temperature environments, is one of the most challenging logistics corridors in northern Chile.
This test is based on a memorandum of understanding signed by both parties in 2023, with the core objective of verifying the technical feasibility of electric equipment in extreme mining scenarios. The 100% electric truck provided by Sany Heavy Industry successfully completed the entire transport journey under conditions matching the load capacity of traditional diesel trucks. Mauricio Acuña, Vice President of Supply at Codelco, stated: "Preliminary data confirms that heavy-duty electric mobility can become a technical alternative for strategic transportation routes."
The project evaluation covers the entire operational chain. Beyond truck performance, it focuses on monitoring logistics efficiency, charging infrastructure layout, and energy cost-effectiveness. According to estimates, against a backdrop of high oil prices, electric equipment can reduce operational costs by 18%-22% compared to diesel models, while cutting carbon emissions by over 30%. Cao Te, Vice President of Sany Heavy Industry, emphasized: "Energy costs and charging network coverage are key variables determining the speed of technology adoption."
The pilot results have sparked in-depth industry discussion on supporting infrastructure. Current technology promotion faces three major bottlenecks: First, Chile currently has fewer than 50 heavy-duty vehicle charging points nationwide, requiring the construction of at least 8 dedicated charging stations within a 200-kilometer radius of mining areas. Second, the stability of energy supply is questionable, as renewable energy coverage in the Atacama Desert region where mines are located is only 65%. Third, a cross-industry collaboration mechanism is lacking, with standards yet to be unified among six types of stakeholders, including transport companies, energy suppliers, and regulatory bodies.
Codelco plans to invest $120 million by 2025 to build the first electrified transport demonstration zone in the Chuquicamata mining area. If the pilot data passes final verification, the company may initiate the procurement of its first batch of 50 electric trucks in 2026, which is expected to reduce annual CO2 equivalent emissions by over 12,000 tons per mining area. This electrification experiment led by the South American mining giant is reshaping the technological competitive landscape of the global mining supply chain.
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