China has sent a fleet of 31 pure electric mining trucks to Zambia, marking a major step in introducing green technology to Africa’s mining industry. The shipment, organized by Chinese green machinery manufacturer Breton Technology, is part of a groundbreaking partnership to support a large copper mining project in Zambia.
The electric trucks are being deployed in collaboration with the African arm of China’s state-owned 15th Metallurgical Construction Group, making it the first large-scale rollout of electric mining trucks for a single project in Africa.
Li Wenjie, chairman of the group’s construction arm in Africa, said the partnership would modernize mining equipment in Zambia and strengthen the shift toward clean energy in the sector.
Breton Technology is also providing an advanced zero-carbon mining robot system, combining autonomous driving with clean energy integration. “We believe unmanned, electric mining fleets will soon become the norm in Africa,” said Breton’s head of strategy, Teng Fei.
The trucks are expected to arrive at the Port of Durban in South Africa within 20 to 25 days, after which they’ll continue overland to Zambia.
This development aligns with China’s growing investment in Zambia’s mining sector. Beijing has pledged $5 billion in new mining investments by 2031 under its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
However, concerns remain about the environmental impact of some Chinese mining operations in Zambia. In February 2025, a dam breach at the Sino-Metals Leach copper mine released 50 million litres of toxic waste into a tributary of the Kafue River, polluting over 100 km downstream. The incident drew criticism from environmental groups and sparked calls for tougher oversight.
Despite the controversy, Zambian officials argue that low-emission technologies, like electric trucks, are key to balancing economic development with environmental protection. The country hopes these trucks will reduce the carbon footprint of its copper industry and support its climate goals.
The rollout is being hailed as a milestone for green mining in Africa, and a signal of what’s possible when modern technology is integrated into the continent’s natural resource industries.
