Eacon Mining Technology operates 60 battery-electric autonomous haul trucks at Zijin Mining's Zhibula copper mine in China, positioned at 5,400 metres altitude. The companies describe this as China's largest autonomous fleet at a single metal mine and the first full-site autonomous project above 5,000 metres.
The trucks arrived in September 2025. Initial validation for driverless operation took two weeks. By March 2026, 52 trucks ran autonomously, with the entire fleet reaching autonomous status by September 2026.
High altitude creates distinct operational challenges. Thin air and strong ultraviolet light complicate workforce retention. Freeze-thaw cycles, snow glare, and steep haul roads strain sensing and control systems. Eacon combines multiple sensor data with adaptive control to manage these conditions.
The project achieved an 80% reduction in driver requirements and 16% more effective working hours daily. The electric fleet is projected to avoid approximately 12,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. At this altitude, staffing gains address a practical constraint alongside environmental benefits.
Eacon is also retrofitting 18 diesel NTE240 rigid dump trucks rated at 220 tonnes at the neighboring Julong Copper Mine, with some already operating without drivers. The company uses both factory-built electric trucks and converted diesel units to demonstrate system independence from truck brand.