MINEX Forum

Tag: electric trucks

  • LKAB Introduces 120-Tonne Electric Trucks for Underground Iron Ore Mining

    LKAB Introduces 120-Tonne Electric Trucks for Underground Iron Ore Mining

    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.

  • Scania and LKAB Unleash “Sleipner”

    Scania and LKAB Unleash “Sleipner”

    Scania and LKAB have taken their collaboration to the next level with the introduction of a new fully electric 8×4 heavy tipper truck at LKAB’s Malmberget mine in northern Sweden. This groundbreaking vehicle, named “Sleipner” after Odin’s legendary eight-legged horse, is the first Scania electric truck to feature two steerable front axles. It has been designed to tackle the rigorous demands of mining transport, offering improved stability and load-bearing capabilities on tough mine roads.

    Sleipner represents a significant milestone in Scania’s commitment to electrifying heavy-duty transportation in challenging environments. With a total weight of 60 tonnes—38 tonnes of which is payload—the electric truck replaces its internal combustion counterpart, offering an eco-friendly alternative for transporting waste rock at LKAB’s mining operations.

    Powered by two MP20 battery packs with 416 kWh capacity, and a 400 kW electric motor, Sleipner has been built on Scania’s modular electric platform. This technology enables the vehicle to haul materials over a 5 km route with a 250-meter elevation gain while achieving substantial CO₂ savings. If successful, Sleipner could provide LKAB with a fully fossil-free solution for their transport needs, a major step in meeting their sustainability goals.

    “This vehicle is just the start of many more mining solutions to come,” said Tony Sandberg, Head of Scania Pilot Partner. The vehicle is the latest in a series of electric trucks operating at the Malmberget mine, demonstrating how Scania’s electric technology can be adapted for the toughest of environments.