Chinese heavy equipment manufacturer XCMG is strengthening its position in zero-emission mining technology with a major Australian partnership. Earlier this month, XCMG signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Fortescue, the Perth-based iron ore giant, to advance greener mining operations.
Under the deal, XCMG will supply up to 200 of its massive 240-ton battery-electric haul trucks, designed to match the performance of diesel machines while producing no exhaust emissions. For Fortescue, one of the world’s largest iron ore exporters, the agreement marks a significant step toward reducing the carbon footprint of its sprawling Australian mining fleet.
XCMG’s 240-ton battery-electric haul truck is designed for the heaviest mining work. It can carry payloads of more than 550,000 pounds and has a gross vehicle weight of over 840,000 pounds. The electric drive system delivers about 2,550 horsepower, enough to climb grades of up to 17 percent and reach a top speed of roughly 35 mph.
Combining zero-emission tech with economic performance
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They also emphasize the urgent need for the industry to act swiftly, implementing practical decarbonization measures to mitigate both climate impacts and associated business risks, Fortescue said in a statement.
By swapping a conventional diesel engine for high-capacity batteries, the truck provides a zero-emission option while maintaining the power and range required for large-scale mining operations, Electrek writes.
The deal builds on a previous agreement and expands Fortescue’s engagement with XCMG, following a 2024 contract for battery-electric ancillary mining equipment, which at the time represented XCMG’s largest green mining equipment order outside China.
According to Fortescue founder Andrew Forrest, global trade and cooperation have shifted from openness to fragmentation. “By joining forces across continents, we are seizing the full extent of the decarbonisation opportunity and rebuilding the cooperation the world needs to address the climate crisis,” he said.
Fortescue taps China’s rapid green tech manufacturing
Forrest also adds that China is scaling up the production of green technologies at an unprecedented pace, highlighting that partnerships with Chinese manufacturers give Fortescue direct access to this capability, enabling the company to accelerate its transition to low-carbon mining operations.
By collaborating with suppliers such as XCMG on large battery-electric haul trucks, Fortescue seeks to combine China’s rapid manufacturing capacity with its own mining expertise, reducing emissions while maintaining operational efficiency across its Australian iron ore sites, he noted.
Apart from the one with XCMG, Fortescue has forged partnerships with several other leading Chinese renewable energy and technology companies. These include BYD, a global front-runner in electric vehicles and battery development; Longi Green Energy Technology Co, a major solar technology manufacturer; and Envision Energy, a specialist in wind power and energy storage solutions.