In China’s Zhibula copper mine, 60 battery-electric dump trucks are now operating fully autonomously at an altitude of over 5,400 meters. EACON Mining and Julong Copper have gradually introduced driverless operations since 2025, achieving what they claim is a unique deployment in high-altitude mining.

The electrified haul trucks have been operating at the Tibetan mine since September 2025. Initially, they were still driven by operators while Eacon Mining validated its autonomous driving technology on-site. According to the company, it was possible to eliminate safety drivers after just two weeks.

Autonomous operation was then gradually expanded. By March 2026, 52 vehicles were operating driverless on a regular basis, and by the end of September, all 60 battery-electric haul trucks had achieved fully autonomous standard operation across the entire mine. Eacon describes the project as the largest autonomous fleet at a single metal mine site in China and the world’s first fully autonomous operation of electric mining vehicles at an altitude of over 5,000 metres.

The high altitude presents unique challenges for both people and technology. In addition to low air pressure and oxygen levels, Eacon cites strong UV radiation, snow, and alternating freeze-thaw cycles. Wet or icy roads and snow reflections can particularly complicate environmental sensing and vehicle control. Steep haul roads and complex traffic patterns within the mine further add to the difficulty. Eacon therefore relies, among other things, on the fusion of various sensor data and adaptive vehicle control.

At the same time, the high altitude is a compelling argument for driverless operation, as it means tmployees can spend less time in the oxygen-poor environment.

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