Recently, another four 236 t class NTE240 electric drive mining trucks exported from Tianjin port by Baotou-based Inner Mongolia North Hauler Joint Stock Co (NHL) to Serbia Zijin Copper based in Bor, Serbia completed assembly and commissioning and were officially handed over. This is now one of the largest Chinese-made large mining truck fleets worldwide – as the four units add to seven units that were shipped in 2020 bringing the total to 11.

NHL stated: “Seven NTE240 electric drive trucks have been running for nearly a year at Serbia Zijin Copper with high efficiency, low fuel consumption, high reliability, and low operating costs which have impressed the customer – in fact operating hours and availability are ahead of the mine’s Western mining truck brand. As a result, Zijin Mining Serbia in July 2021 ordered another four units.” The NTE240 model has a Cummins QSK60 engine and Wabtec AC drive.

Serbia Zijin Copper includes three open pit mines – Majdanpek, Veliki Krivelj and New Cerovo. Including the Jama underground mine, in 2020 the combined production stood at 52,000 t of mined copper (copper concentrate) and 46,900 t of copper cathodes. Serbia Zijin Copper is accelerating the technical upgrading and expansion of the four mines and the associated smelter. After completion, the complex will produce 120,000 t/y of mined copper and 180,000 t/y of copper cathodes.