Santiago, April 6, 2026 - With a load of 27 tons of copper, a 100% electric truck from the company SANY managed to travel 680 kilometers round trip between Codelco's Radomiro Tomic Division and the Angamos Port as part of an electromobility pilot aimed at advancing towards low-emission mining logistics in the driest desert in the world.

The initiative is being developed under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Codelco and the Chinese company SANY, which commits both companies to conduct electric truck tests under real-world operating conditions. The pilot project in northern Chile is one of the longest routes in Latin America where these tests have been carried out, featuring demanding inclines, extreme temperatures, and a load capacity comparable to that of traditional transport.

“The preliminary results of these pilot projects demonstrate that heavy-duty electromobility is a technically viable alternative for strategic routes in the country. This is an opportunity to be pioneers in Latin America, operating an electric truck on a long route with a cumulative gradient exceeding 2,500 meters,” explained Mauricio Acuña, Vice President of Supply at Codelco.

The project aims to evaluate the operational and energy performance, along with the logistics and infrastructure required by this technology as an alternative to diesel trucks. Among the key features of this innovation is its contribution to emissions reduction, which aligns with Codelco's sustainability commitments.

“The signing of this MoU and the electric truck test represent a key milestone in our joint collaboration to develop sustainable mining and logistics solutions. In the current context of high oil prices, electric equipment stands out for its advantages in reducing operating costs and its contribution to decarbonization. Both parties will continue to deepen their cooperation to drive the sustainable transformation of the mining and logistics sector,” stated Cao Te, Vice President of SANY Group and President of the Latin America Division.

He added that “among the main benefits observed in this pilot are greater stability of energy costs, reduction of noise and emissions, as well as the strengthening of an ecosystem of technology and service providers associated with mining electromobility.”

Pilot program in Calama

The results of the pilot program and the implementation of the MoU were presented at an event in Calama, which was attended by representatives from both institutions. Codelco's Director of Integrated Logistics, Miguel Cataldo, explained that “the success of the trial was made possible by extensive coordination among carriers, technology providers, energy companies, regulators, and logistics stakeholders, each of whom contributed critical enablers such as cargo infrastructure, safety standards, route expertise, and operational processes, as well as technology transfer and operational continuity.”

“This pilot project lays a concrete foundation for transforming mining logistics in Chile towards a more sustainable future, positioning the country at the regional forefront of electric heavy-duty freight transport,” concluded Fernando Promis, Sustainability and External Affairs Manager for Codelco’s Northern Operations.

Among the various actors participating in the initiative, in addition to the Radomiro Tomic Division and SANY, are the transport company Géminis, Puerto Angamos and the Ministry of Public Works.

Codelco