Cummins Deploys Hybrid-Electric Mining Truck In Chile

Dubai (PlantAndEquipment.com) - At the Chilean mine of Caserones, Cummins has deployed the first commercial hybrid-electric ultra-class mining truck into production.

The pilot project features a converted 300-ton Komatsu haul truck that will operate at Lundin Mining's open-pit copper-molybdenum mine in Tierra Amarilla. The truck uses Cummins’ First Mode hybrid system, representing its initial production deployment since Cummins purchased First Mode a year ago.

The retrofit solution includes a Cummins QSK60 diesel engine, a modular battery system, and regenerative braking technology, which harvests energy during downhill hauls and stores it for later use. Software controls the flow of power between the engine and the battery, improving efficiency and performance throughout the truck's operating cycle.

The vehicle operates at heights above 4,000 meters in the Andes, offering a high-altitude test environment for hybrid performance under steep haul profiles and severe mining circumstances.

The pilot intends to test performance, durability, and fuel economy in real-world operations, which might inspire future hybrid systems that aim to reduce fuel usage and emissions by up to 30%.