A copper mine high up in the mountains of Tibet has achieved site-wide autonomous operation of 60 battery-electric mining trucks thanks to technology developed by a Perth-based mining technology company.
In Tibet’s Gangdese Mountains, also known as the Kailas Range, 60 autonomous battery-electric mining trucks are now operating at altitudes above 5,000 metres.
The electric trucks arrived on site back in September 2025 and were initially operated by drivers.
The decision to automate operations with battery electric trucks is part of a much wider effort by parent company Zijin Mining Group to electrify its operations.
Zijin Mining Group also built its own battery electric haul trucks because it couldn’t find another supplier.