First Quantum Minerals is accelerating the deployment of trolley-assist technology across its mining operations as the company seeks to reduce diesel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from its haulage fleet.
The global copper producer said its proprietary Quantum Electra-Haul system received patent and trademark protection from the UK Intellectual Property Office in summer 2026, strengthening its efforts to expand the technology across its operations. Further patents covering additional aspects of the system are pending.
First Quantum has more than 14 years of experience designing, refining and operating trolley-assist systems at its mines.
In 2025, trucks across its operations travelled almost 500,000 kilometres under trolley power, marking a record level of adoption for the company.
The technology uses overhead electric power lines installed along mine ramps. Trucks fitted with pantographs connect to the lines while travelling uphill, allowing their electric wheel motors to operate and switching off the diesel engine.
According to First Quantum, the system can reduce diesel consumption by up to 90% on fully loaded uphill ramps, where trucks typically use the most energy.
It can also save about two minutes on each trolley-assisted stretch, potentially reducing the number of trucks required and limiting equipment interactions.
Gordon White, First Quantum’s Director, Mine Operations & Technology, said the company’s patented solution forms part of its efforts to make mining more environmentally responsible.
“The world needs copper to be mined in a responsible manner. Mining is no longer just an extractive industry, and we need to contribute meaningfully to the environment and to the communities around us,” White said.
He said Quantum Electra-Haul had been developed through long-term collaboration with equipment manufacturers, including Liebherr, Hitachi and Komatsu, as well as through the development of supporting infrastructure such as transformers, E-Houses and trolley lines.
First Quantum currently has more than 15 kilometres of trolley-assist infrastructure installed across its three largest sites and plans to significantly expand the technology, with a long-term ambition of using trolley assistance for up to 100% of each uphill haul cycle.
The company is also testing the integration of trolley assistance with battery-powered haulage. At its Kansanshi copper and gold mine near Solwezi in Zambia, First Quantum and Hitachi Construction Machinery have been conducting a trial of what the company describes as the world’s first ultra-large full-battery dump truck combined with trolley-assist technology.
The trial began in June 2024 and is examining the performance of a battery-powered truck under actual mining conditions, including dynamic battery charging and discharging.
In April 2026, the two companies held a Battery Truck & Electrification Showcase at Kansanshi to demonstrate the technology to mining customers.
First Quantum said trolley-assist deployment at its Zambian operations saved an estimated 45,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2025.
Combined with other pit-electrification initiatives, the company said its Zambian operations reduced emissions by more than 130,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent during the year.
First Quantum operates the Kansanshi mine and smelter in Solwezi, as well as the Sentinel copper mine and Enterprise nickel mine in Kalumbila.
Globally, the company produced 396,000 tonnes of copper, 152,000 ounces of gold and 23,000 tonnes of nickel in 2025.