Challenge

As the mining industry moves toward lower‑emission operations, conventional haulage systems face a persistent challenge: how to decarbonise material movement without compromising productivity, safety or mine design flexibility. Battery‑electric haul trucks offer clear environmental benefits but their adoption is often constrained by large battery packs, long charging down times and complex charging infrastructure. These limitations are particularly pronounced for smaller haulage applications, satellite pits and future autonomous mines, where efficiency, availability and adaptability are critical. 

Solution

The Autonomous Electric Hauler project addresses this challenge through a fundamentally different approach. We developed a concept small, battery‑electric autonomous hauler that is wirelessly charged using induction‑based wireless power transfer (WPT). By combining autonomy, electrification and wireless charging, the system reduces reliance on oversized batteries and eliminates the need for physical charging connections. Energy can be transferred automatically and safely during scheduled stops or even dynamically while the vehicle is operating. 

The Benefits 

This integrated solution delivers several step‑change benefits for next‑generation mining operations: 

• Improved productivity through continuous or opportunistic charging and reduced downtime.

• Lower emissions and energy use, supporting decarbonisation targets while reducing ventilation demands in underground environments.

• Enhanced safety, enabled by autonomous operation and the removal of exposed electrical connectors and manual charging activities.

• Greater mine‑design flexibility, with smaller, lighter vehicles that can operate efficiently in constrained or non‑conventional haulage scenarios.

By demonstrating how autonomy, battery‑electric drive and wireless power can work together as a system, the Autonomous Electric Hauler project provides a practical pathway toward cleaner, safer and more productive haulage solutions for the future of mining.