# Eacon retrofits 60 battery-electric mining trucks for driverless work above 5,000 m in Tibet

- Published: 2026-11-15 15:52 UTC
- Section: Power & Energy › Cars
- Tags: autonomous mining trucks, battery-electric haul trucks, Eacon Mining Technology, Tibet Julong Copper, Zijin Mining Group, high-altitude mining, Zhibula, multi-sensor fusion, Zijin Longking ZL230E, LK220E
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-69d29f67cfcd8e96a71eec05_eacon_retrofits_60/

**Tibet Julong Copper's mine in the Kailas Range runs 60 autonomous battery-electric trucks above 5,000 m. Eacon reports 80 per cent fewer drivers needed.**

![Eacon retrofits 60 battery-electric mining trucks for driverless work above 5,000 m in Tibet](https://realtech.media/media/2026/11/5dd398cb25333ead.webp)
*electrek.co*

At a copper mine in Tibet's Gangdese Mountains, also known as the Kailas Range, 60 autonomous battery-electric mining trucks now operate at altitudes above 5,000 metres, thedriven.io reports. [1] The technology was developed by Perth-based Eacon Mining Technology for Tibet Julong Copper, a subsidiary of Zijin Mining Group. [1] According to Eacon, this is the largest single-site autonomous haulage fleet at a metal mine in China and the world's first site-wide autonomous battery-electric vehicle project above 5,000 metres. [1]

## Retrofit of the fleet at altitude

Conditions above 5,000 metres include extreme cold, low atmospheric pressure, reduced oxygen levels and increased ultraviolet exposure. The electric trucks arrived on site in September 2025 and were initially operated by drivers. Eacon's autonomous haulage technology, which uses multi-sensor fusion and adaptive vehicle control, was then retrofitted into them. [1]

Validation was completed at Zhibula within two weeks. Autonomous operations were then expanded in line with site readiness and the operational schedule. By the end of September, all 60 trucks had been converted and achieved site-wide autonomous operation. [1]

Data from validation and operation indicate an 80 per cent reduction in driver requirements and a 16 per cent increase in daily effective working hours. The expected reduction in carbon emissions is approximately 12,000 tonnes annually. [1]

## Next fleets and Zijin's electric trucks

Eacon is also retrofitting 18 NTE240 electric rigid dump trucks at the adjacent Julong Copper Mine, located at up to 5,400 metres above sea level. [1] The 220-tonne trucks are being retrofitted progressively and are completing validation for operation without safety drivers. Some of them already operate autonomously on site. [1]

The project is part of a wider effort by Zijin Mining Group to electrify its operations. Its subsidiary Zijin Longking unveiled the ZL230E, which it presents as the largest-tonnage battery-electric mining truck in China. The truck has two 800 kW motors, and the company says its battery system can charge to 90 per cent in 25 minutes. [1]

Zijin Mining Group also built its own battery-electric haul trucks because it could not find another supplier. The LK220E began rolling off the production line in December 2025, and as of June the company had produced around 300. Some weigh up to 140 tonnes and have swappable 776 kWh batteries. The first batch was delivered in May to the Julong Copper Mine. [1]

## Sources

1. [thedriven.io](https://thedriven.io/2026/11/11/tibetan-copper-mine-deploys-60-autonomous-electric-mining-trucks/)
2. [electrek.co](https://electrek.co/2026/11/15/high-altitude-bitter-cold-zero-drivers-autonomous-trucks-take-on-tibetan-mine)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-69d29f67cfcd8e96a71eec05_eacon_retrofits_60/