Zijin Longking, an equipment manufacturer controlled by Zijin, unveiled its new ZL230E battery-electric haul truck on August 10. Developed in-house with a maximum payload of 230 tonnes, the truck expands the range of ultra-large battery-electric mine trucks made in China. Its launch marks a new step in Zijin’s push for lower-carbon transition and yet another milestone for Zijin Longking in its electric mining equipment business.
“The ZL230E was purpose-built for intensive, around-the-clock operation at ultra-large open-pit mines,” said Huang Wei, President of Zijin Longking. With a net weight of 120 tonnes, the truck can carry up to 230 tonnes of materials. Its bucket has a heaped capacity of 125 cubic meters. The model is designed for long haul routes, loaded uphill travel and continuous operation in complex mine-site conditions, ensuring low energy consumption, high reliability, ease of maintenance and high-volume haulage. The truck’s design also helps improve haulage efficiency and reduces operating costs.
The truck uses a multi-axle independent-drive system in which power is distributed centrally to individual axles. Two 800-kilowatt motors provide coordinated power output, while the drive system adjusts power to each axle in real time and maintains sustained output on gradients. This is intended to improve the truck’s reliability and performance in demanding operating environments. A high-capacity, long-life battery system can be charged to 90% in 25 minutes, reducing charging downtime and improving vehicle availability.
Zijin Longking has also incorporated a series of safety features for heavy-duty mining conditions. These include its patented high-rigidity frame, a dual-control chassis, redundant braking and steering systems, and intelligent energy management. Together, they protect the truck’s structure, powertrain, braking and steering systems.
Su Zimeng, President of the China Construction Machinery Association, said the rollout demonstrated the progress made by China’s machinery industry in technological innovation and industrial upgrading. He added that the ZL230E would broaden the country’s range of domestically developed, large-payload battery-electric haul trucks and support the electrification of off-highway mining vehicles.
More than 200 guests attended the vehicle launch, including senior officials from Longyan, where Zijin Longking is based; Chen Jinghe, Lifetime Honorary Chairman of Zijin Mining; and Xie Xionghui, Vice President of Zijin Mining and Chairman of Zijin Longking. Representatives from the Fujian Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology and the Fujian Academy of Mechanical Sciences were also present.
Three-Year Roadmap to Diesel-Free Haulage
The launch comes as Zijin steps up the electrification of its mining fleet in support of the world’s decarbonization goals. The number of electric haul trucks in its fleet increased from 13 in 2020 to 1,719 in 2025. Under a three-year action plan, the company aims to replace its conventional diesel haul trucks with electric models, lowering both operating costs and carbon emissions.
Zijin Longking is drawing on Zijin’s support and global portfolio of mine sites to build electric mining equipment manufacturing into a strategic growth business, with large-payload trucks as a key area of development. Earlier this year, it delivered 15 battery-electric haul trucks with a payload of 150 tonnes each to Julong Copper, a mining operation managed by Zijin. Since entering service, each truck has consistently hauled more than 2,000 tonnes per day and recorded availability above 90%. Energy consumption has been more than 17% lower than that of comparable models, delivering both financial and environmental benefits.
Zijin Longking plans to integrate electric haul trucks with wind and solar generation, energy storage, and charging and battery swap infrastructure. The resulting integrated green energy solution for mine sites will help mining operations reduce costs, improve efficiency and lower emissions.
About Zijin Mining
Zijin Mining is a leading global metals and mining company and one of the world’s largest producers of gold, copper, and zinc. The company has more than 30 large-scale mining operations and projects across 19 countries on 5 continents. Leveraging strong in-house research, engineering, and development capabilities, Zijin maintains high operational efficiency and low costs in both acquisitions and operations. This enables the company to be an industry leader in value creation, underpinned by its philosophy of pursuing development for all and sustained by superior environmental, social, and governance performance. Zijin’s shares trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX: 2899) and the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE: 601899).