Electric Power Conversions Australia (EPCA), Sigma Powertrain and Dayton-Phoenix Group are preparing for an ambitious project to convert a Caterpillar 793C mechanical drive truck into a 100% battery-electric haul truck following receipt of the end-of-life truck from Northern Star Resources’ KCGM Operations in Western Australia.
Northern Star first mentioned this project in a LinkedIn post this week, saying the truck donation would help support the advancement of battery-electric mining technology in Australia. The post was accompanied by a photo showing EPCA Founder and Chief Engineer, Clayton Franklin, in front of said truck.
EPCA specialises in retrofitting heavy diesel mining equipment for electric operation, having previously carried out the process on a Cat 777 haul truck. It also recently announced that had entered into an agreement to electrify a Caterpillar 988 wheel loader, which EMJC will operate under a long-term operational deployment at a large mining operation in Western Australia.
EPCA told IM about the Cat 793 project: “EPCA has a project plan for the Cat 793 electrification. Advances in battery, drivetrain and power electronics technology now make it commercially viable to retrofit these trucks using proven, commercially available components. We are confident we can achieve acceptable runtime and charging performance.”
Key technology partners on the project include Sigma Powertrain, supplying the TERRAMAX gearbox, and Dayton Phoenix, supplying the drive motors and inverters.
There is strong interest from several Western Australian stakeholders in supporting the project, according to EPCA. “The Cat 793 remains one of the most widely deployed haul trucks across the state’s mining sector, providing a significant market opportunity.” EPCA’s current objective is to complete the electrification program by the end of 2027 and demonstrate the machine across multiple operating mine sites.
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