In northern Chile, stretching across the western slopes of the Andes, there’s a nearly 700-kilometer mining transport route known in the industry as the ‘Devil’s Route’ of mining transport. It connects the Chuquicamata mine, under the world’s largest copper producer, Codelco, to the port of Mejillones. Recently, XCMG’s all-electric heavy truck completed a trial run on this 700-kilometer route, achieving a full journey with ‘zero failures and zero mistakes’.
What does XCMG rely on to tackle the 700-kilometer ‘devil’s route’?
Those 700 kilometers tested the road, validated the technology, and built confidence. With challenges like high altitude, long slopes, strong winds and sand, and big temperature differences, XCMG’s pure electric heavy truck showed off its ace cards—the independently developed electric drive system and smart battery management technology—running stably with zero failures or mistakes throughout, demonstrating strong environmental adaptability and new energy transport capability, earning high praise from the mining side. This wasn’t a ‘show,’ but a real road test. The report card? 700 kilometers with zero failures. For XCMG, electrification and intelligence in mining equipment aren’t optional—they’re a must.
From ‘Equipment Output’ to ‘Solution Empowerment’: XCMG’s Road to Advancement
The success of this trial operation marks an important achievement in the deepening strategic cooperation between XCMG and the Chilean National Copper Company. Before this, XCMG’s excavators, loaders, rollers, cranes, and other equipment had already built a solid reputation in their mining areas, earning customer trust through high efficiency, reliability, and low emissions. Both sides have been pushing forward substantial cooperation around the ideas of ‘green mines’ and ‘smart mines.’ In February 2025, a delegation from the Chilean National Copper Company visited XCMG headquarters and met with Chairman Yang Dongsheng. Since then, both sides have continued advancing mine site surveys, joint technology development, and strategic cooperation implementation. In March 2026, XCMG and the Chilean National Copper Company officially signed a strategic cooperation memorandum of understanding, bringing their collaboration into a new phase.
Unlike single equipment output, XCMG is accelerating its provision of comprehensive new energy solutions to global mining customers, covering ‘excavation, loading, transportation, and hoisting.’ From core ‘three-electric’ technology to full-series new energy equipment, and then to smart mine management systems, XCMG has established a complete framework for green mine solutions. Take the recently trialed fully electric heavy truck as an example: each truck can reduce nearly a hundred tons of carbon per year, produces zero exhaust, and has low noise, effectively improving the working environment at mining sites. Promoting mining equipment toward greater safety, cleanliness, and intelligence—this is not only XCMG’s commitment but also its action.
