Exxaro advances modernization of South African mines, updating approximately 17 220-ton haul trucks

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On August 25, Exxaro Resources CEO Ben Magara stated that the company is evaluating a "mine of the future" operating model and advancing the modernization of existing mine equipment and technology. Current equipment updates include the procurement of approximately 17 haul trucks with a 220-ton payload, alongside research into overhead electric power assist systems for haul trucks, AI-based ore sorting, and autonomous vehicles. Autonomous equipment remains at the board discussion stage, with no deployment plan finalized.

Exxaro has begun implementing large-scale haul truck replacements this year. The company's interim operating results for 2026 confirmed progress in the first half of the year on the haul truck and electric shovel replacement program at the Grootegeluk coal mine, with four 220-ton-class haul trucks already commissioned. During the same period, sustaining capital expenditure for the coal business reached R1.395 billion, up 61% year-on-year, with the increase primarily allocated to the Grootegeluk haul truck and electric shovel replacements. The company expects full-year 2026 sustaining capital expenditure for the coal business to range between R4 billion and R4.5 billion.

In terms of powertrain systems for mining vehicles, Exxaro is evaluating pantographs and overhead electric power assist lines for haul trucks. The company's previously established fleet technology roadmap shows plans to progressively expand the application of electric power assist systems on haul trucks from 2026 to 2030, while conducting proof-of-concept trials for electric drills, battery-electric haul trucks, and pilot retrofits of existing haul trucks to battery-electric powertrains; from 2031 to 2040, the plan is to further expand the application of electric drills and overhead electric power assist systems, gradually replacing diesel equipment with electric dozers.

Artificial intelligence is also part of this technology assessment. Exxaro is researching the use of machine learning for ore sorting, improving recovery by identifying and rejecting gangue. Autonomous haulage vehicles are also within the company's evaluation scope, but Exxaro has not yet disclosed specific mines, equipment quantities, suppliers, or implementation timelines.

The energy system at the Grootegeluk mine has been adjusted in parallel. The Lephalale solar project, which supplies power directly to the mine, has an installed capacity of 68 MW, an investment of R1.7 billion, and comprises 129,024 photovoltaic modules covering 185 hectares, entering commercial operation on April 20, 2026. The project supplies power to Grootegeluk under a 25-year power purchase agreement and has secured permits for future integration of battery energy storage systems. Exxaro stated that the 68 MW of solar power accounts for approximately 30% of the mine's electricity consumption, corresponding to annual electricity cost savings of about R100 million.

In the first half of 2026, production growth at Grootegeluk and Matla drove Exxaro's coal output up 11% year-on-year to 21.5 million tons. Grootegeluk employs open-pit mining methods, with the currently published run-of-mine coal production capacity at approximately 54 million tons and a mine life exceeding 21 years.