Swedish mining giant LKAB has taken a significant step towards sustainable mining by deploying two 120-tonne battery-electric trucks at its Malmberget iron ore mine. These trucks, developed in collaboration with Scania, are designed to operate at depths of up to 1,250 metres and have already transported over 100,000 tonnes of iron ore since their introduction. Each truck boasts a payload capacity of just over 70 tonnes and is equipped with a 624 kWh battery, allowing for approximately seven hours of operation on a single charge.
The deployment of these electric trucks marks a pivotal moment in the mining industry, particularly for underground operations where electrification poses unique challenges. LKAB’s Malmberget mine moves more than 50,000 tonnes of iron ore daily, and the new trucks have completed around 1,500 round trips, transporting roughly 3,200 tonnes per charge. The charging infrastructure supports rapid charging at up to 375 kW, enabling a full charge in about 80 minutes.
One of the key challenges for LKAB is ensuring that these battery-electric trucks can match the productivity and availability of traditional diesel trucks. As the company continues to innovate, another battery-electric model, the Sleipner, is entering its next testing phase. This 8×4 heavy-duty tipper is designed for continuous operation and will be evaluated for its ability to replace diesel trucks in ongoing production scenarios.
The partnership between LKAB and Scania has been ongoing for several years, with previous tests of a 6×4 battery-electric tipper demonstrating promising results. By 2027, LKAB aims to electrify 30 per cent of its mining fleet, targeting the extraction and handling of at least five million tonnes of material annually without local emissions. This ambitious goal underscores the company’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint while maintaining operational efficiency in one of the most demanding sectors of the economy.
