Rio Tinto and China’s SPIC Qiyuan have launched a trial of battery-swap technology for electric haul trucks at the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia, aiming to reduce emissions and develop cost-effective technology. SPIC Qiyuan is a leading electricity generation company in China.
It marks a major step in Rio Tinto’s journey to reduce the mining giant’s Scope 1 and 2 carbon footprint, and represents its first use of battery-swap electric haul trucks in surface mining operations.
“The launch of this trial with SPIC Qiyuan is an important milestone, harnessing China’s widely used and leading battery swap technology in a partnership that supports Rio Tinto’s drive to accelerate low-carbon innovation,” Rio Tinto general manager global equipment and diesel transition Ben Woffenden said.
“The rapid deployment and fast-tracked operational learnings have highlighted the importance of partnerships in advancing low-emission haulage alternatives for our business.”
This includes a fleet of eight 91-tonne Tonly trucks, 13 batteries (800 kWh each), a battery-swapping station, and supporting infrastructure.
These trucks will now be used for tailings dam construction and topsoil transport, providing Rio Tinto with hands-on experience across the entire system. The swapping technology is designed to replace a truck’s battery in under seven minutes, minimising downtime and improving efficiency by avoiding fixed-point charging.
“By working with partners such as SPIC Qiyuan and Tonly, Rio Tinto is rapidly identifying and adopting cost-effective, proven innovations that can support operational excellence and advance decarbonisation goals.”
The trial will run until the end of 2026, helping Rio Tinto identify opportunities to adopt this low-emission technology more widely across its operations.
