MINING TRUCKS
cloud based, designed to empower electric fleets ranging from battery management to safety, reliability and performance.
These chargers are also equipped with robotic connection options, including from KUKA, to automate plug-in procedures, safely mating with autonomous batteryelectric trucks. The Liebherr truck image from the US showed the unit fitted with Liebherr’ s IoMine autonomous haulage system – which it says combines advanced automation with real-time data insights to enhance productivity, safety and efficiency. The system enables fully autonomous operation of Liebherr’ s haul trucks, allowing for intelligent route optimisation and seamless, reliable performance without manual intervention. Designed for future sustainability, the AHS is compatible with both diesel-electric and zero emission energy systems, integrating with the FMS to manage energy replenishment for zero emission trucks.
The official specifications for the T 264 Battery Electric list a battery power module delivering 3.2 MW maximum power output which is compatible with Dynamic Power Transfer and automated quick chargers of up to 6 MW. The battery chemistry is agnostic to accommodate diverse mining applications. It also has advanced regenerative braking technology and uses advanced real-time battery analytics for optimised quick charging, extended battery life and enhanced truck utilisation plus it is compatible with Liebherr’ s Autonomous Haulage Solutions.
In early June, Fortescue stated:“ Soon, our first battery-electric Liebherr Mining T 264 haul truck will arrive on site, featuring a Fortescue Zero power system and advanced Elysia battery software designed to help accelerate the decarbonisation of mining.”
Liebherr of course has its own dynamic charging system, the Power Rail – Richard Kraemer, Haulage Electrifications Solutions Manage at The Electric Mine 2026 explained, how it is based on its successful trolley bar overhead system that is used with a 100 t class T 236 truck fleet at VA Erzberg in Austria.
He stated:“ We’ ve increased the capacity of that... and now we’ re integrating it into our larger haul truck size classes. We are able to dynamically connect and reconnect at various points utilising [ an ] entrance funnel, so you can just pull [ the ] arm off if you need to divert around a rock... it would then potentially reconnect at certain points.”
Liebherr recommends adding these funnels every 100-200 metres to permit this flexibility- which is important especially when it comes to autonomy. Power Rail also uses carbon-based slider shoes for ease of servicing. In addition, a major focus was to be installation and relocation fast and
48 flexible- to resolve those challenges that exist with traditional trolley. It can use the same substations as traditional trolley plus has minimal impact on haul road width, and has switchback and turns capability. The power transfer is done via a third rail, which is readily available as it is used on millions of kilometres already in the rail industry. Plus they can be shaped in a normal shop environment.
Of course, Liebherr is also a leader in conventional trolley installation and experience; and at the Collahuasi copper mine in northern Chile a fleet of four Liebherr T 284 ultra-class haul trucks equipped with its Trolley Assist System it says are setting
The first Liebherr T 264 fitted with the Fortescue Zero battery system in Newport News, Virginia- soon the first battery unit will also be unveiled at Fortescue’ s operations in Australia, which are already operating over 100 diesel electric T 264 trucks
new benchmarks for high altitude haulage. Operating at an altitude of 4,500 metres, the trucks have delivered clear improvements in productivity, fuel efficiency and emissions reduction. Plus this was highly significant as the first operational trolley system in South America. The T 284’ s speed on grade increased from ~ 9-10 km / h to ~ 18-20 km / h when utilising trolley.
XCMG gears up for XDE260E
Following the official unveiling in February 2026 in Xuzhou of two super large battery electric machine prototypes for customer Fortescue – the XC9260BEWL( battery electric wheel loader) and a sister machine, the XC9260BEWD( battery electric wheel dozer) – testing of these units in China at XCMG’ s testing grounds continues before shipping to the Pilbara in Western Australia in the coming months.
They have now been joined by two additional machines – the XDE150E battery water truck, which is based on the XCMG XDE150 136 t mining truck chassis, along with a battery grader, the GR350EP. The XDE150E( sometimes referred to as the XDE150ES to distinguish it from the electric XDE150E mining truck) is cited by XCMG as the world’ s largest electric powered water truck, designed for green dust suppression and efficient operation in ultra-large open-pit mines.
The GR350EP is equipped with a 528.6 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, delivering 6-8 hours of continuous performance. It also offers dual-gun fast charging for quicker turnaround. The grader has a mouldboard width of over 5 m and a travel speed of up to 42 km / h.
Of course, the most anticipated addition
to the line up for Fortescue is yet to come – the all battery version of the 240 t class XDE260. This will form roughly half of the battery electric large mining truck fleet for Fortescue – around 150 to 200 units; the other 150-200 units being 240 t battery electric T 264 trucks from Liebherr. The first XDE260E trucks are set to be ready for testing in 2028; though the first dieselelectric XDE260 fleet of 12 units is already running in Australia at the operations of a manganese miner in WA.
Liebherr originally had the contract for all of Fortescue’ s battery mining truck requirements up to around 360-400 units dating to a signing in September 2024 at MINExpo – Fortescue subsequently passed half of the truck order to XCMG in 2025 with Fortescue Founder and Executive Chairman Dr Andrew Forrest stating at the time:“ China is scaling and manufacturing green technologies at unprecedented speed and our partnerships give Fortescue access to that capability.”
International Mining | JULY 2026