Caterpillar has used a site in Tasmania, Australia, to demonstrate its first battery-electric prototype underground mining truck, with representatives of gold major Newmont said to be in attendance.
The equipment giant said it was collaborating with Newmont to help it achieve its vision of a “fully connected, automated, zero carbon emitting, end-to-end mining system”.
Newmont executive vice president Rob Atkinson described the underground truck presentation as a milestone that highlighted the impact of strong collaboration in the mining industry.
Caterpillar said it was growing its portfolio of battery electric and semi-autonomous technology for underground mining applications. The new battery electric truck would be paired with the commercially available R1700 XE battery electric loader.
“The demonstration for Newmont and other industry leaders, at the company’s proving ground in Tasmania, Australia, comes on the heels of the 793 battery-electric prototype surface mining truck, which was unveiled in November of 2022,” it said.
