Zambia has become a model for global mining innovation thanks to the recent patenting of an industry-leading electric trolley-assist system by First Quantum Minerals Ltd that improves efficiency and reduces the carbon footprint of operations.
The pioneering mechanism reduces the consumption of diesel at the company’s Kansanshi and Sentinel mines, in Solwezi and Kalumbila respectively, by hooking trucks to overhead powerlines that haul them out of the pit using electricity. The company’s proprietary trolley-assist solution, Quantum Electra-Haul, has now been granted a patent and trademark, by the UK Intellectual Property Office, with further patents pending for additional aspects of the invention.
First Quantum is moving towards the true decarbonisation of its mining fleet through the widespread adoption of Quantum Electra-Haul. With over 14 years of experience in designing, refining and operating trolley-assist systems across its sites, First Quantum has established itself as the industry leader in this transformative technology. 2025 was a record year for the company’s adoption of trolley-assist with almost half a million kilometres of haulage conducted under trolley across the group’s operations.
Gordon White, First Quantum’s Director, Mine Operations & Technology, commented: “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. Our patented trolley-assist solution, Quantum Electra-Haul, is a key element of this evolution.
First Quantum has mastered this technology by working with long-term partners to provide stable platforms with multiple trucks on the overhead line at the same time.
In addition, we have worked to design and implement critical hardware such as transformers, E-Houses, and trolley line systems.
It’s very pleasing for the business to receive this patent and trademark conformation, a strong endorsement of the innovation, precision and creativity that runs throughout First Quantum.”
“We designed the Quantum Electra-Haul hardware to be lightweight and mobile, enabling efficient relocation as the mine evolves through various cutbacks. We believe that this technology is pivotal for decarbonising load and haul operations First Quantum’s long-term life-of-mine plans include significant expansion of trolley assist technology. Currently we have over 15km of trolley-assist installed across our three largest sites, with the ambition to increase this to up to 100% of each up up-ramp cycle. This system is operational, practical and represents an economically feasible solution that will reduce emissions in global mining as other companies look to follow our lead.”
The implementation of trolley-assist technology at First Quantum’s Zambian mines has led to notable greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions.
Replacing diesel with renewable energy, this technology saved an estimated 45,000 tonnes of GHG emissions in 2025, which combined with the company’s other pit electrification initiatives yielded savings of more than 130,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent at its Zambian operations.
The company’s operations feature multiple trolley lines across different pit areas, with trucks equipped with pantographs that connect to overhead powerlines on the ramps out of the pit. When engaged, the trolley-assist system activates the electric wheel motors, switching off the truck’s diesel engine.
This results in diesel savings of up to 90% on up-ramps when the trucks are fully laden and consuming the most energy.
Trolley assist technology also offers significant timesaving, approximately a 2-minute time saving per trolley-assist stretch, reducing truck fleet requirements and improving safety by minimizing equipment interactions. Fewer trucks improve operational efficiency and enhance safety by minimising equipment interactions.
Since 2011, the company has also collaborated closely with original equipment manufacturers, including Liebherr, Hitachi and Komatsu, to develop truck and energy network infrastructure essential for the deployment of this technology.
Quantum Electra-Haul exemplifies First Quantum’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, further demonstrated by the trialling of the world’s first ever ultra-rage full battery dump truck combined with trolley assist technology, at Kansanshi copper and gold mine in Zambia.
The Kansanshi mine has been First Quantum’s flagship operation since 2005 and is one of the country’s largest mines. The trial, in partnership with Hitachi Construction Machinery, commenced in June 2024 and is ongoing.
The trial aims to verify the practical performance of all rock haulage operations required of a battery-powered dump truck under actual operating conditions, as well as the verification of dynamic battery charging and discharging cycles.
In April 2026, First Quantum and Hitachi hosted the Battery Truck and Electrification Showcase, a technical demonstration of its full battery Dump truck for mining customers at Kansanshi.
