A major milestone in industrial automation and clean energy was marked this week with the launch of the world’s first fully operational fleet of 100 autonomous electric mining trucks, powered by a 5G-Advanced (5G-A) network, at the Yimin open-pit coal mine in Inner Mongolia, China.
This unprecedented rollout positions the Yimin mine, operated by China Huaneng Group Co Ltd, as a global pioneer in smart mining. The project represents a joint innovation effort with Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co Ltd. (XCMG), and State Grid Smart Internet of Vehicles Co Ltd., integrating cutting-edge AI, cloud computing, and zero-emission mobility into one large-scale solution.
The 100 Huaneng Ruichi autonomous electric mining trucks, each capable of hauling up to 90 metric tons, have been specially engineered to operate efficiently in some of the harshest environments on Earth, including sub-zero temperatures down to –40°C. These trucks boast 120% of the operational efficiency of traditional, manually-operated models, all without human drivers onboard.
This marks China’s first autonomous truck platform to fully eliminate the driver’s cab, enhancing safety by removing personnel from high-risk zones and minimising exposure to environmental hazards. It’s a bold move in the ongoing transformation of mining into a high-tech, low-impact industry.
Central to the operation is a 5G-Advanced (5G-A) network, making Yimin the world’s first open-pit mine to achieve full-scale synergy between vehicle, cloud, and network. Offering ultra-low latency of 20 milliseconds and uplink speeds of 500 Mbps, the system enables high-definition video streaming and real-time fleet coordination via Huawei Cloud’s Commercial Vehicle Autonomous Driving Cloud Service (CVADCS).
Using AI-powered, crowdsourced mapping and route optimization algorithms, the CVADCS enhances operational efficiency while reducing idle time, improving energy use, and ensuring safe, accurate navigation.
Zhang Ping’an, Executive Director of Huawei and CEO of Huawei Cloud, emphasized the transformational potential of this model:
“This project highlights how AI, cloud, and 5G-A can come together to drive the high-quality development of the energy sector. We’re not just innovating—we’re creating a blueprint for global intelligent mining.”
The deployment aligns with China’s strategic goals to develop a green, intelligent coal industry while maintaining energy security. By replacing traditional diesel trucks with electric-powered, self-driving alternatives, China Huaneng is advancing its carbon neutrality roadmap and reinforcing its commitment to sustainability.
According to Li Shuxue, Chairman of Huaneng Inner Mongolia Eastern Energy Co., Ltd., this launch is a “vital step in transforming mining logistics through electrification and smart technologies.”
Plans are already in motion to scale operations. The 5G-A infrastructure is expected to eventually support more than 300 autonomous trucks operating 24/7, amplifying both productivity and safety metrics.
This groundbreaking initiative stands as a lighthouse project, a live demonstration of how advanced technology ecosystems can transform traditional industries. For partners like Huawei, XCMG, and China Huaneng, the Yimin mine serves as a model for the future of zero-carbon, intelligent mining, not just in China, but globally.
As AI, cloud, and connectivity continue to intersect with industrial applications, Yimin’s example shines as a beacon of what’s possible when innovation meets infrastructure at scale.