In line with CharIN’s commitment to fostering focused collaboration, the working group has evolved from a Task Force into a dedicated Project, reflecting the growing maturity and strategic importance of this initiative within the CharIN ecosystem.
The CharIN Project Mining is a working group dedicated to standardizing charging interfaces for electric mining vehicles and equipment. Our collaborative platform brings together leading mining companies, OEMs, charging infrastructure providers, and technology experts to develop interoperable charging solutions for the mining industry.
Through regular technical meetings, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions, our members work together to:
- Develop and promote charging standards specificto mining applications
- Share best practices and lessons learned from electrification projects
- Create technical requirements that address the unique challenges of mining environments
- Foster collaboration between mining operators and technology providers
With active participation from industry leaders across the globe, we are building a strong foundation for the future of electric mining operations.
Industry collaboration is key
Interoperability remains a critical industry challenge, requiring collaboration to address and align on optimal solutions. The ICMM-CharIN partnership through Project Mining accelerates charging interoperability alignment while catalyzing innovation through collaboration. This partnership also helps accelerate zero-emission vehicle adoption in the mining and metals industry, a key ambition of ICMM’s Innovation for Cleaner, Safer Vehicles (ICSV) Greenhouse Gas Reduction initiative.
Decarbonizing haul trucks presents unique challenges distinct from passenger vehicles, as these trucks transport massive amounts of waste rock, ore, and materials across mine sites. Diesel haul trucks typically account for 30 to 50% of mine site emissions.
These large surface-mining haul trucks pose a significant challenge. With an estimated 28,000 in operation, their CO2 emissions equal those of over 15 million passenger cars.
These mining haul trucks alone generate more than 69 million metric tons of CO2 emissions annually—comparable to emissions from nearly 4 million first-class round-trip flights between London and Santiago.
Converting all these trucks to battery-electric vehicles would require approximately half of the UK’s 2023 energy consumption (≈122 TWh), equivalent to the power from 20,000 onshore wind turbines or a solar farm 2.5 times the size of London.
Defining charging interoperability requirements is therefore crucial for successfully deploying battery-electric fleets in mining to achieve decarbonization and net-zero goals.
"At ICMM, collaboration is at the core of everything we do. Decarbonizing mining operations is a big challenge, with plenty of moving parts still coming together to make GHG-free equipment a reality. That’s why we’ve partnered with CharIN—to help drive industry-wide collaboration and streamline the interoperability of charging interfaces at mine sites. By bringing together a wide range of expertise and perspectives through Project Mining, we are speeding up the development of solutions that helps the whole industry move forward, together."Dana Cartwright, Senior Manager - Climate & Innovation, ICMM
DCI, X-MCS, and R-MCS
Throughout this past year, our efforts were concentrated on three crucial areas of developing in mining electrification: first, we made significant progress in the Dynamic Charging Interface (DCI), which enables vehicles to charge while they continue their operations in motion - a critical feature for maintaining productivity.
Second, we advanced the X-MCS (Extreme Megawatt Charging System) specifications to address the demanding high-power charging requirements unique to mining vehicles.
Third, we focused on developing the R-MCS (Ruggedized Megawatt Charging System), specifically engineered to withstand and operate reliably in the extreme environmental conditions typical of mining operations, including exposure to dust, vibration, and harsh weather conditions.
Leader: Kwan Lee, Principal Advisor, Rio Tinto.
Published: 12/02/2024
The mining industry is accelerating its decarbonization efforts, with a key focus on reducing emissions from haul trucks—currently responsible for up to 50% of a mine’s energy use. To support this transition, CharIN, with collaboration from ICMM, have released a new Dynamic Charging Interface (DCI) White Paper, defining the technical requirements for a standardized, interoperable in-motion charging solution. The paper outlines how dynamic charging can enhance efficiency, minimize downtime, and support both diesel-electric (DEHTs) and battery-electric haul trucks (BEHTs) across surface and underground mining operations. By establishing common technical guidelines, it paves the way for greater industry-wide adoption of electric mining fleets.
Leader: Christian Ebert, Global Solution Manager, Hitachi Energy.
Coming Soon – In Final Review
As part of the ICMM-CharIN collaboration, significant progress has been made in the development of the Extreme Megawatt Charging System (X-MCS). Designed to push the limits of high-power charging, X-MCS aims to support the largest and most energy-intensive mining vehicles, ensuring rapid, efficient, and reliable charging in demanding environments. Building on the foundation of the Megawatt Charging System (MCS), this new solution introduces higher power capabilities, enhanced safety features, and greater adaptability to various mining applications. Additionally, automation and interoperability remain key priorities, ensuring seamless integration across the industry. The white paper detailing X-MCS’s technical specifications and industry impact is currently in its final editorial stages and will be published soon.
Stay tuned for its release, marking another milestone in the electrification of mining operations!
Leader: Marc-André Beck, CEO, Grivix.
Published: 16/10/2024
The ICMM-CharIN collaboration continues to drive innovation in mining electrification. A key milestone is the development of the Ruggedized Megawatt Charging System (R-MCS), a specialized charging solution designed to withstand the harsh conditions of mining environments. Building on the Megawatt Charging System (MCS), the R-MCS enhances voltage capacity, durability, and chemical resistance, ensuring a robust, high-performance charging infrastructure for battery-electric heavy-duty vehicles. It also integrates automation technologies, enabling automated coupling for improved safety and efficiency. The White Paper outlines the technical specifications, communication protocols, and safety measures essential for global standardization. By addressing the unique challenges of mining operations, the R-MCS paves the way for a more sustainable, efficient, and electrified future in the industry.
CharIN Tuesday – Project Mining Developments & Key Results
We hosted an insightful webinar presenting the main results from the Mining project. The 90-minute session featured key discussions covering a brief description of the Mining Group, the Dynamic Charging Interface, Ruggedized MCS solutions and a Higher Power solution: X-MCS.
We showcased how these innovations address the unique challenges of safely delivering megawatts of electricity to haul trucks in extreme mining environments and how industry collaboration is driving interoperability and revolutionizing charging solutions for the mining sector.
Looking ahead to 2025, we are excited to continue powering the future of mining electrification through collaboration and innovation. A critical area of focus is the development of clear communication protocols and standardized data exchange between fleet management and energy management systems to ensure true interoperability. This effort builds upon CharIN’s work on the ISO 15118 protocol, which is widely recognized as the industry standard for charging communication. However, further integration is required to align its structure and broadcasting conventions with the specific needs of the mining sector. As battery-electric equipment becomes a reality in mining, we aim to establish a dedicated team in 2025 to conduct a full assessment and provide clear recommendations to the industry.
Our working groups are actively seeking new participants to contribute their expertise and insights to this transformative journey. If your organization is interested in joining the CharIN Project Mining and being part of shaping the future of electric mining operations, please contact Daniela Soler at daniela.soler@charin.global.
Together, we can accelerate the transition to sustainable mining practices through standardized charging solutions.
