May 22, 2025 | By: Minener Newsroom
A fleet of 100 driverless electric trucks has begun operations at the Yimin mine in Inner Mongolia, marking the world’s largest deployment of autonomous vehicles in mining operations. This initiative aims to significantly improve operational efficiency and reduce workplace accidents.
This rollout is part of a broader plan to expand the fleet to 300 electric, cabless trucks. These vehicles are powered by rechargeable lithium batteries and are equipped with advanced environmental perception systems, autonomous navigation, and automated battery swapping capabilities.
“This fleet of automated trucks reflects our vision for the future of smart mining: safer, more efficient, and cleaner,” stated Jack Chen, Vice President of Oil, Gas & Mining Marketing Solutions at Huawei, the project’s leading technology partner.
The trucks, branded Huaneng Ruichi, can carry up to 90 tons and have successfully operated for 72 continuous hours under extreme weather conditions, including temperatures as low as -46°C and strong winds. Compared to traditional diesel trucks, these vehicles are 20% more efficient and are expected to cut annual CO₂ emissions by 48,000 tons.
Importantly, former truck operators now monitor the fleet remotely from control centers, enhancing safety and providing more comfortable working conditions.
The system integrates advanced 5G connectivity for low-latency communication, Artificial Intelligence (AI) for operational decisions, and Cloud Computing for massive data processing and storage.