Effects of in-pit mining transport electrification on the operating cost structure of mining companies

E.N. Belozorova, N.L. Udaltsova, E.R. Mukharramova
Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №3/ 2026 p. 157-164

Abstract: Rock transportation by in-pit mining trucks accounts for 26% to 50% of the total operating costs of surface mining operations, while diesel fuel accounts for up to 70% of the powertrain's lifecycle cost. At the same time, in-pit mining trucks generate over 90% of the mining industry's CO2 emissions caused by transport operations, which is equivalent to 174 Mt annually. A hypothesis is made that transition to battery-electric trucks (BEVs) with a payload capacity of 150–264 t can reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) by 15–25% over a 10-year period, primarily due to a transformation in the operating cost structure, i.e. a 60–65% reduction in the fuel costs and a 25–35% reduction in the maintenance costs. The research methodology is based on a comparative TCO analysis of 150-tonne diesel and electric dump trucks under identical operating conditions, simulation modeling of the haulage cycles, and a parametric sensitivity analysis of the key cost factors. The empirical base includes fleet operation data from the Fortescue Metals Group (450 million litres of diesel in FY2024, a contract with Liebherr for 475 electric trucks worth of $2.8 billion), the SRK Consulting's TCO comparison results, the IDTechEx energy consumption data, and the technical and economic performance of the Liebherr T 264 BEV (3.2 MWh battery, 6 MW charging in 30 minutes). The energy consumption of a 150-ton electric dump truck was found to be 275 kWh/h (~$35/h) compared to 100 liters of diesel fuel (~$100/h) for a similar diesel dump truck. The total cost of ownership (TCO) savings over a 10-year operating period reach $3 million per unit. The payback of the higher capital expenditures (a 20–30% premium) takes place during the third year of operation. A regenerative braking system recovers up to 25% of the energy from the transportation cycle, and integration with the trolley infrastructure reduces diesel fuel consumption by 70% while doubling the hauling-up speed. These results make it possible to justify the economic feasibility of electrifying in-pit mining vehicles and predict the redistribution of shares in the operating cost structure with the widespread adoption of the BEV technologies for the period of 2025–2035.

Keywords: electrification of in-pit mining vehicles, total cost of ownership, battery-electric dump truck, operating costs, decarbonization of the mining industry, lithium iron phosphate battery, trolley system

For citation: Belozorova E.N., Udaltsova N.L., Mukharramova E.R. Effects of in-pit mining transport electrification on the operating cost structure of mining companies. Russian Mining Industry. 2026;(3):157–164. https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2026-3-157-164

Article info

Received: 08.02.2026

Revised: 24.03.2026

Accepted: 02.04.2026

Information about the authors

Elvira N. Belozorova – Cand. Sci. (Econ.), Associate Professor of the Department of General and Project Management, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Natalia L. Udaltsova – Cand. Sci. (Econ.), Associate Professor of the Department of General and Project Management, Faculty of Higher School of Management, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Elmira R. Mukharramova – Cand. Sci. (Econ.), Associate Professor of the Department of General and Project Management, Faculty of Higher School of Management, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5228-7088; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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