Diversified major Vale has received two battery-powered 72-t off-highway trucks, which will be tested in the mines of Água Limpa, in Brazil, and Sorowako, in Indonesia.

These trucks, produced by a subsidiary of Chinese machine manufacturer Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group (XCMG), can operate for up to 36 cycles along an established route – just over a day of operations – without the need to stop and recharge.

The batteries of the electric trucks, model XDR80TE, can store 525 kWh.

Vale explains that the trucks can regenerate energy during descents, reducing the use of mechanical brakes, maintenance work and vibration, in addition to providing more operational comfort to drivers.

The machine's multiple temperature control technology allows it to adapt to high temperature, humidity and rainy working conditions, and to have excellent performance even in extremely cold, high altitude and harsh weather conditions. 

“To us, this partnership with XCMG is another important step in our long-term relationship with China and towards more sustainable mining. Our goal is to expand, together with global partners, the development and co-creation of technologies that respect the environment and zero out emissions,” says Alexandre Pereira, executive VP of global business solutions at Vale. 

Vale in 2019 announced it would reach net zero carbon emissions (scopes 1 and 2) by 2050, earmarking an investment of $4-billion and $6-billion for this purpose. Currently, emissions from off-highway trucks running on diesel represent about 9% of Vale's total scope 1 and 2 emissions. 

Vale has created the Powershift programme with the aim of replacing fossil fuels with clean sources in its operations. The programme is promoting innovative solutions to electrify the company's mines and railroads.

In addition to the 100% electric truck, Vale’s strategy for the electrification of assets also includes the operation of battery-powered locomotives in the yards of the ports of Tubarão, in Vitória, and Ponta da Madeira, in São Luís.

In Canada, the Powershift programme has also led to tests with electrical equipment in underground mines – there are currently about 40 that are currently operational. 

Vale's operational equipment electrification strategy also includes a partnership with its peers BHP and Rio Tinto. Last year, the three companies, along with 17 other mining companies, launched the ‘Charge On Innovation Challenge’, a global open innovation challenge with the goal of finding innovative solutions to accelerate the safe charging of batteries for future electric off-highway trucks.