China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) and EACON, a domestic developer of autonomous haulage solutions, have signed a strategic cooperation agreement aimed at accelerating the mining industry’s shift toward electrification and automation. The agreement was formalized on October 24 in Ningde, Fujian, according to a statement from CATL.
The partnership will cover areas including capital investment, technology co-development, market expansion, and ecosystem building. CATL said the collaboration represents “a significant milestone for China’s push toward fully electrified and autonomous mining operations,” adding that the industry has moved from experimental stages to large-scale industrialization.
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Under the agreement, the companies will jointly develop next-generation specialized batteries designed for extreme environments such as high altitudes and sub-zero temperatures. These systems will leverage operational data from more than 20 mines currently managed by EACON. The two firms also plan to establish model open-pit projects that can serve as benchmarks for safe, efficient, and replicable autonomous mining operations.
CATL and EACON intend to expand internationally after validating key domestic projects, promoting integrated “new energy + autonomous driving” mining solutions to support the development of global green mining standards.
As of September 2025, more than 2,000 electric autonomous mining trucks powered by CATL batteries and EACON systems have been deployed across coal, metal, and limestone mines in China, logging over 65 million kilometers in combined operations. The companies said they aim to further integrate their technologies to enhance safety, reduce costs, and drive sustainable mining practices worldwide.
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