Mining giant Rio Tinto has teamed up with State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) to begin a pilot deployment of battery-swap electric haul trucks at the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia. The initiative marks Rio Tinto’s first trial of battery-swap mining trucks in an open-pit environment, signalling an important step toward low-carbon mining operations worldwide.
As one of the world’s most significant copper deposits, Oyu Tolgoi offers a harsh and demanding operating environment—making it an ideal testing ground. The pilot will evaluate the performance of large battery-electric haulage trucks under real-world mining conditions, including heavy loads, steep grades and extreme temperatures.
The project uses an innovative battery-swap system, which allows depleted truck batteries to be exchanged automatically within minutes. The concept aims to overcome the long charging downtime associated with traditional electric heavy vehicles, while cutting diesel consumption, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering noise on site.
SPIC, one of China’s largest clean energy investors, is providing the technology platform and charging-swap infrastructure for the trial. The company says the collaboration will help verify the commercial and technical feasibility of battery-electric fleets for large, open-pit mining—creating reference data for future deployment across the sector.
Industry analysts note that electrification has become a critical pathway for mining companies seeking to decarbonise. By participating in this trial, Rio Tinto is signalling its intention to accelerate low-emission technologies and set a benchmark for greener mining practices.
The collaboration also highlights China’s growing influence in global clean-energy innovation. If the trial performs as expected, the battery-swap model could be extended to other mines in the region and worldwide, offering a scalable solution for heavy-duty transportation in mining operations.
