Foreword

From establishing foundational “reliability”, to delivering enhanced “performance excellence”, to now pioneering an efficiency revolution that “creates tangible value”, Tonly continues to advance the technological evolution of off-road dump trucks. Here at this site, 52 Tonly pure-electric autonomous off-road dump trucks have logged over 500,000 kilometers in large-scale, routine operation.

Today, through the lens of CNR News, we visit the CHN Energy’s Xinjiang Hongshaquan No.2 Open-Pit Coal Mine to witness the latest achievements in China’s pursuit of “large-scale, green, and intelligent” mining vehicle technology. 

Source: CNR

At CHN Energy’s Xinjiang Hongshaquan No.2 Open-Pit Coal Mine (hereinafter “Hongshaquan No.2 Mine”), a fleet of 58 autonomous mining trucks operate at peak efficiency, with 52 units running on pure-electric power. This deployment represents a breakthrough in pure-electric autonomous transportation for the mine. The fleet has now logged 500,000 kilometers of incident-free operation while maintaining zero carbon emissions throughout the transportation cycle, establishing a replicable model for intelligent and sustainable transportation in China’s open-pit coal mining sector.

Pure-Electric and Autonomous Technology Solve Critical Mining Transportation Challenges 

The Hongshaquan No.2 Mine produces 20 million tons annually, requiring extensive overburden removal and coal transportation operations. Traditional diesel-powered mining trucks present multiple challenges: high energy consumption, substantial emissions, and drivers exposed to harsh operating conditions for extended periods, creating both safety risks and workforce recruitment difficulties. Since January 2025, the mine has phased in 58 autonomous mining trucks, with 52 utilizing pure-electric powertrains, effectively addressing the sector’s persistent challenges of high fuel costs and carbon emissions.

“The large-scale deployment of pure-electric autonomous mining trucks has achieved zero-carbon emission, intelligent transportation, and eliminated safety risks inherent in traditional mining operations while substantially improving operational efficiency. This represents the emerging trend of green, intelligent mining development,” explains Bai Shenghua, Chief Engineer at Hongshaquan No.2 Mine. Powered by an intelligent dispatch system, the autonomous trucks independently optimize routing, execute precision loading and unloading operations, and continuously monitor road conditions in real-time, dramatically enhancing both safety and operational consistency.

Intelligent Dispatch and Remote Monitoring Transform Mining Operations

At the Hongshaquan No.2 Mine’s Intelligent Cloud Control Center, operators monitor truck operations in real-time via large display screen, with comprehensive 360-degree visibility providing complete situational awareness for remote supervision. The autonomous trucks navigate independently, with steering systems that self-adjust and automatically reduce speed when encountering rough terrain, without human intervention during full process. The cloud-based platform dynamically allocates vehicle assignments, optimizing the deployment of the autonomous fleet with precision.

“In the past, truck operators had to work long shifts in outdoor conditions. Now they work from monitoring stations, dramatically reducing physical demands,” notes Leng Ning, Vehicle Operations and Maintenance Manager. This transformation not only enhances working conditions but also facilitates the evolution of traditional mining roles into skilled positions for intelligent systems management.

Large-Scale Deployment Establishes Replicable Model

The Hongshaquan No.2 Mine’s implementation demonstrates that pure-electric autonomous mining trucks are ready for large-scale deployment in major open-pit coal operations. The mine’s autonomous transportation system has now achieved full integration with extraction, waste disposal, and other operational processes, creating a comprehensive intelligent transportation ecosystem.

Industry experts note that Hongshaquan No.2 Mine’s successful operation validates the clear advantages of pure-electric autonomous mining trucks in operational efficiency, safety performance, and environmental impact, providing a field-proven, replicable technical framework for China’s open-pit mining sector. As new energy and autonomous driving technologies continue to advance, this operational model is positioned for broader adoption across additional mining regions, accelerating China’s transition toward green, intelligent mining transportation.