Electric Haul Trucks Tackle 4,000-Foot-Deep Iron Ore Mine

Swedish mining giant LKAB has introduced two Scania electric haul trucks with a combined gross vehicle weight of 130 tons at its Malmberget iron ore mine, located more than 4,000 feet underground. The move marks a significant step toward decarbonizing heavy-duty mining operations, where diesel-powered vehicles have long dominated due to the challenging conditions and immense payloads required.

These electric trucks are expected to reduce emissions drastically in the mine’s daily operations, while also cutting ventilation and cooling costs typically associated with diesel exhaust in confined underground spaces. LKAB’s initiative aligns with its broader sustainability goals, aiming to operate fossil-free mining processes in the coming years.

The deployment underscores the growing viability of battery-electric solutions in extreme industrial settings, proving that even the heaviest vehicles can transition away from diesel. As electric truck technology advances, underground mining could become a key early adopter, offering measurable environmental and operational benefits.