On October 24, CATL and EACON, a leading Chinese developer of autonomous haulage solutions, signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Ningde, Fujian, according to CATL’s official WeChat post. The two companies will collaborate across capital investment, technology innovation, market deployment, and ecosystem development to accelerate the transformation of the mining industry toward electrification, intelligence, and higher operational efficiency.

The agreement represents a key milestone in China’s progress toward fully electrified and autonomous mining operations. The industry has moved beyond the experimental phase and entered a stage of rapid industrialization and large-scale application. By combining CATL’s advanced battery and intelligent manufacturing expertise with EACON’s strengths in autonomous driving and vehicle-road-cloud integration, the partnership aims to address challenges such as harsh operating environments, strict safety standards, and cost optimization. Their shared objective is to deliver scalable and replicable green mining solutions to the global market.

The collaboration will advance on multiple strategic fronts. CATL and EACON will jointly develop next-generation power batteries engineered for extreme conditions such as high altitudes and sub-zero temperatures, utilizing real-world data from more than 20 mines operated by EACON. These new battery systems are expected to enhance reliability, performance, and longevity for heavy-duty autonomous trucks used in mining operations.

In addition, the partners plan to establish benchmark open-pit mining projects that will serve as models for safe, efficient, and intelligent operations. These pilot projects will leverage CATL’s comprehensive industrial ecosystem and its extensive partner network to demonstrate the feasibility of large-scale autonomous haulage systems powered by clean energy.

Following the successful implementation of domestic projects, CATL and EACON intend to expand internationally by exporting integrated “new energy + autonomous driving” mining solutions. The companies aim to contribute to the creation of global green mining standards and promote the sustainable development of the mining industry worldwide.

As of September 2025, CATL and EACON have jointly deployed more than 2,000 electric autonomous mining trucks, which have collectively traveled over 65 million kilometers across coal, metal, and limestone mining sites. This achievement marks the transition of large-scale autonomous mining from concept to commercial operation.

Looking forward, the two companies will deepen their cooperation and further integrate their core technologies. By aligning their expertise in energy storage, automation, and digital systems, CATL and EACON seek to lead the next phase of industrial transformation—one defined by green energy, intelligent mobility, and sustainable mining practices that enhance both productivity and environmental performance.