First Quantum patents quantum electra-haul, advancing mine haulage electrification

Mine electrification is moving from pilot projects toward industrial-scale deployment, and First Quantum Minerals has reached another milestone in that transition. The company has secured a UK patent and trademark for Quantum Electra-Haul, its proprietary trolley-assist solution designed to reduce diesel consumption and emissions from one of mining’s most energy-intensive activities: moving fully loaded haul trucks out of open pits.

The intellectual property milestone builds on more than 14 years of First Quantum experience with trolley-assist systems. In 2025 alone, its haul trucks travelled almost 500,000 km under trolley power across the group’s operations.

Up to 90% less diesel on the ramp

The engineering principle is straightforward but potentially powerful. Trucks equipped with pantographs connect to overhead electrical lines on pit ramps. Once connected, electric wheel motors take over and the diesel engine is switched off. According to First Quantum, the system can deliver diesel savings of up to 90% on uphill sections, precisely where fully loaded trucks consume the most energy. Trolley operation can also save approximately two minutes per assisted haulage section, potentially reducing fleet requirements while limiting interactions between heavy equipment.

First Quantum currently has more than 15 km of trolley-assist infrastructure across its three largest operations, with longer-term mine plans targeting substantial expansion.

Kansanshi pushes electrification further

The next technological step is already being tested at the Kansanshi copper-gold mine in Zambia, where First Quantum and Hitachi Construction Machinery are trialling an ultra-large fully battery-powered dump truck combined with trolley assist.

The programme is examining whether battery haulage can perform the complete rock-transport cycle under real mining conditions, including dynamic battery charging and discharging. The environmental impact is already measurable. First Quantum estimates that trolley-assist deployment at its Zambian mines avoided approximately 45,000 tonnes of GHG emissions in 2025. Combined with other pit-electrification initiatives, estimated savings exceeded 130,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.

Electrification that must work in a real mine

Gordon White, First Quantum’s Director, Mine Operations & Technology, describes the technology as “pivotal for decarbonizing load and haul operations.”

That distinction matters. Mine decarbonization will ultimately depend not simply on replacing diesel engines, but on technologies capable of working reliably within changing pit geometries, demanding production schedules and the economics of large-scale material movement.