May 21, 2026 - Hitachi Construction Machinery has successfully demonstrated its full battery-powered dump truck technology at the Kansanshi Copper Mine in Zambia, marking a significant advancement in the transition toward zero-emission mining operations. The showcase was conducted in collaboration with First Quantum Minerals, a long-standing customer of Hitachi with extensive experience operating trolley-assisted dump trucks. The existing trolley infrastructure at the Kansanshi mine provided an ideal testing environment for evaluating the performance of the battery-powered mining vehicle under real operating conditions.

The demonstration event attracted nearly 30 representatives from 20 mining companies across several countries, including Canada, Finland, and Mongolia. Participants witnessed the dump truck operating and charging through overhead trolley lines while also inspecting the vehicle’s engineering and design features during static displays.

The showcase followed an extended technological feasibility trial conducted between June 2024 and August 2025. During this period, the dump truck travelled more than 4,000 kilometres and transported over 30,000 tonnes of material while operating in demanding mining conditions. According to Hitachi, the vehicle performed in line with operational expectations throughout the evaluation phase.

Hitachi Construction Machinery

A major advantage of the project was Zambia’s renewable-energy-heavy electricity grid, where nearly 92% of the country’s power generation comes from hydropower sources. This enabled the battery-powered truck to operate with effectively zero carbon dioxide emissions during the trials, highlighting the technology’s potential contribution toward sustainable mining practices.

In addition to emission reduction, the truck demonstrated improved acceleration and significantly lower operating noise levels compared to conventional diesel-powered mining vehicles. These operational advantages are becoming increasingly important as mining companies seek cleaner, safer, and more energy-efficient alternatives for large-scale material transportation.

Alongside the battery dump truck, Hitachi also showcased several other mining technologies and solutions, including the EX5600-7E electric excavator, EH4000AC-3 diesel trolley trucks, advanced mining buckets and dump bodies from Bradken, and digital mining technologies such as the Wenco fleet management system and LANDCROS Connect Insight platform.

Hiroshi Kanezawa, Executive Officer and Vice President of the Mining Business Unit at Hitachi Construction Machinery, stated that the real-world operating data gathered during the trial demonstrated the capability of the full battery dump truck for continuous operation in actual mining environments. He added that the findings would support the development of optimized operational plans and trolley infrastructure designs ahead of commercial deployment.  

The company plans to continue refining the technology with the goal of achieving commercial deployment by fiscal year 2027. The initiative forms part of Hitachi’s broader commitment to supporting sustainable mining operations through energy-efficient and low-emission technologies.

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co is a leading global manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, known for its focus on reliability, productivity, and advanced engineering. The company offers a broad portfolio that includes hydraulic excavators, wheel loaders, rigid dump trucks, and specialised mining machinery, serving infrastructure, mining, and earthmoving applications worldwide.

With a strong emphasis on technology-driven solutions, Hitachi Construction Machinery integrates digital tools, telematics, and automation to improve equipment performance, reduce operating costs, and support predictive maintenance. Backed by a global manufacturing and distribution network, the company continues to expand its presence across key markets while advancing sustainability through fuel-efficient designs and lower-emission equipment.