Gold Fields’ Granny Smith gold mine in the eastern Goldfields of Western Australia in the Laverton District has welcomed Epiroc’s Minetruck MT66 S eDrive to Wallaby for a six-month performance trial – with Epiroc specialists on site throughout the program.
The 66 t diesel electric haul truck Grant Hancock, Granny Smith Mining Manager, says combines the best of two worlds: battery-electric like acceleration and efficiency with the practicality of a diesel engine. The new electric drivetrain and smart controls deliver up to +11% ramp speed, ~7% lower fuel use, and improved air quality underground. Safety is built in, with automatic brake testing, hill descent assist, hill hold, and SAHR brakes at all wheel ends.
Hancock adds: “Over the trial, we’ll benchmark cycle times, availability, fuel use, ventilation indicators, and operator feedback, sharing results as they land. This is a practical step towards safer, cleaner, more productive underground haulage at Gold Fields.”
The mine is also making progress with its green energy credentials. In its third quarter 2025 report, Gold Fields reported that the 11 MW solar plant at Granny Smith commissioned in Q2 2025 operated at full capacity during Q3 2025. The site now has a total of 19 MW of solar capacity and 9 MW battery storage, with 20% of its electricity being generated from solar power in September 2025.
The Minetruck MT66 S eDrive, nicknamed ‘Matilda’ has a redesigned lightweight frame, combined with a John Deere 18-litre Stage V engine. According to Epiroc, the removal of a conventional mechanical driveline simplifies operation and reduces maintenance requirements, further lowering operating costs while enhancing reliability and availability.
Source: im-mining.com
