China has taken a significant step forward in mining innovation by launching the world’s largest fleet of autonomous electric trucks at the Yimin open-pit coal mine in Inner Mongolia. Spearheaded by the Huaneng Group and powered by Huawei’s cutting-edge autonomous driving systems, this project is designed to reshape the traditional mining approach with modern, tech-driven solutions.
The fleet consists of 100 driverless trucks, aptly named ‘Huaneng Ruichi.’ Built to thrive in extreme conditions—even at temperatures as low as -40°C—each truck can haul up to 90 tonnes and operates at 120% of the efficiency seen in conventional, manned trucks. If you’ve ever struggled with the cost or reliability of traditional mining operations, you can appreciate how such advancements offer a practical alternative.
An impressive aspect of this new fleet is its focus on safety and productivity. By eliminating the driver’s cabin, the trucks keep personnel clear of hazardous zones. Added features like intelligent battery swapping, precision mapping, and cloud-based coordination (courtesy of Huawei’s Commercial Vehicle Autonomous Driving Cloud Service, or CVADCS) work together to optimise routes and reduce idle time.
The project is a collaborative effort, drawing on the expertise of organisations such as the Huaneng Group, Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group, the Beijing University of Science and Technology, and State Grid Smart Internet of Vehicles Co. Ltd. With the support of a cutting-edge 5G-Advanced (5G-A) network, the mine benefits from swift, reliable vehicle-to-cloud communication—with uplink speeds hitting 500 Mbps and latency as low as 20 milliseconds—ensuring smooth, round-the-clock operations.
A commitment to a zero-carbon mining strategy further underscores this initiative. By phasing out fuel-powered trucks in favour of electric models, China is working to protect local ecosystems, including nearby wetlands, grasslands, and shrublands. The country’s broader plan aims to exceed 5,000 automated mining trucks by year’s end, with projections rising to 10,000 by 2026, and the Yimin site itself is set to expand its fleet to 300 trucks within three years.
Looking beyond national borders, Huawei and its partners are eager to bring this advanced model to international markets, including regions in Africa and Latin America. Together, these efforts point to a promising blend of environmental responsibility, enhanced worker safety, and improved operational efficiency in the mining industry.
