Oyu Tolgoi is leading the way in electrified underground mining with Normet SmartDrive®

Oyu Tolgoi, located in the South Gobi Desert of Mongolia, is a world-class mining operation and a cornerstone of the country’s economy. It is one of the world’s most significant copper and gold operations, and in there, underground mining is advancing at an exceptional scale. As the mine progresses and operations move deeper underground, Oyu Tolgoi continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to safe, modern, and responsible mining practices, actively shaping the future of mining. The focus is not only on production performance, but more importantly on enhancing safety and working conditions, optimizing processes, and adopting technologies that support long-term sustainability.

Normet has been supporting Oyu Tolgoi since the beginning, and today, on top of a large fleet of Normet’s diesel equipment, Normet SmartDrive® battery-electric machines play a key role in supporting daily operations and enabling the transition toward lower-emission production.

Oyu Tolgoi operates a versatile fleet of SmartDrive machines across multiple underground applications.

The largest SmartDrive fleet in the world

The world’s biggest SmartDrive fleet is operating at Oyu Tolgoi across a wide range of applications. From concrete spraying and explosives charging to lifting, logistics, and concrete transport, the fleet demonstrates how electrification can be effectively implemented in demanding, large-scale underground environments. Supported by fast-charging infrastructure, the machines are integrated into operational cycles, ensuring high availability and consistent performance.

At Oyu Tolgoi, electrification has been implemented across multiple underground processes rather than at an individual machine level, creating a versatile and scalable equipment fleet. This enables standardization on battery-electric solutions across different functions, improving maintenance efficiency, simplifying operator training, and supporting more consistent operations. At the same time, it contributes to the mine’s broader ambition to reduce emissions and improve underground conditions.

Fast-charging solutions are located following the mine requirements, whereas process machines such as explosives chargers and concrete sprayers can be charged during the operation from the mine’s electric grid, ensuring that electrification enhances productivity while maintaining operational flexibility.

Charging solutions designed around mine requirements, enabling efficient workflows and reliable BEV operation.

Collaboration enabling successful electrification

The successful deployment of SmartDrive machines at Oyu Tolgoi is the result of long and close collaboration. From the first discussion and early planning through to training and commissioning, and ultimately integrating the machines into daily operations, the focus has been on ensuring that electrification delivers practical value in day-to-day mining activities.

Fleet selection has been aligned with operational requirements, while charging infrastructure has been designed to support efficient workflows underground. Training and technical support have enabled smooth adoption, and continuous dialogue between the teams supports ongoing optimization and development. As noted by Chrisjan Clappen, Service Contract Project Manager, Normet Mongolia, “These machines provide valuable operational data that we use for service planning. The same data is also used to develop training materials and support the upskilling of our workforce.”

Planned service work to ensure safe operation, high availability, and sustained performance.

In addition, the use of Normet’s Remote Monitoring Service plays an important role in maintaining the fleet’s reliability, safety, and efficiency. Real-time data and condition monitoring support the Oyu Tolgoi underground mobile maintenance team in making informed, data-driven decisions, with a clear focus on asset health and proactive maintenance.

This data-driven approach, combining remote monitoring insights, structured training, and strong technical support, has been key in building the capabilities required to operate and maintain a large BEV fleet underground.

Advancing safer, more efficient underground operations

With its SmartDrive fleet, Oyu Tolgoi is taking clear and measurable steps toward improving both safety and efficiency underground. The use of battery-electric machines eliminates local emissions, while lower noise, reduced heat, and vibration contribute to improved working conditions for personnel.

At the same time, the reliability and performance of the equipment support the high demands of a large-scale underground operation. As highlighted by Chrisjan Clappen, “Supporting the largest SmartDrive fleet in the world provides a strong reference point for our operations. We apply the learnings across our sites and share them with partners and other projects globally.”

By combining productivity with sustainability, Oyu Tolgoi continues to demonstrate how modern mining can evolve to meet both operational and environmental goals.