Natal Portland Cement (NPC), a subsidiary of the global Huaxin Group, has taken a bold step toward zero-emission operations with the introduction of TONLY 70-ton battery-electric dump trucks at its Simuma Quarry near Port Shepstone.
This rollout is part of NPC’s broader Simuma Expansion Project and marks a new phase of the company’s commitment to cleaner, safer and more sustainable mining practices. Replacing older diesel models, these cutting-edge electric trucks are designed specifically for green mining – eliminating tailpipe carbon and particulate emissions by an estimated thousands of tonnes, while significantly reducing the site’s CO₂ footprint.
“The power of change is green,” says NPC – and the numbers support it. With the new electric fleet, NPC is on track to save more than 700 000 litres of diesel fuel annually, while also drastically improving air quality, reducing noise pollution and supporting worker safety on site.
Electrifying the cement supply chain
These off-road trucks play a crucial role in the quarry’s operations, transporting limestone material at the quarry – a key raw material in the cement from NPC’s Simuma factory. The move to electric haulage not only strengthens the company’s environmental goals but also supports its compliance with South Africa’s environmental sustainability practices.
By integrating advanced technologies such as regenerative braking, modular LiFePO₄ battery systems, and autonomous-ready drive-by-wire controls, NPC is embracing a safer, more efficient, and more cost-effective future of cement production. The regenerative braking alone can recover 70 - 95% of energy during downhill runs, feeding it back into the battery and vastly extending operational range.
Leadership in green mining
With just over 40 years of operational excellence at Simuma, NPC leads by example. The company has long implemented sustainable practices such as dust suppression, water recycling and energy-efficient systems.
Now, with the introduction of battery-electric trucks and the arrival of Waste Heat Recovery Technology (WHR), NPC is taking its sustainability strategy even further. WHR captures and repurposes excess heat from industrial processes to improve energy efficiency, reducing reliance on external power sources and cutting carbon emissions.
This combination of cleaner transport and advanced energy recovery positions NPC as a pioneer in responsible, future-focused quarrying and cement manufacturing in South Africa.
The investment from Huaxin Group brings with it proven green innovations from abroad - especially China, where EV mining trucks are already in widespread use. NPC’s adoption of this technology highlights the value of global partnerships in delivering local impact.
A greener future in sight
This electric fleet upgrade is only the beginning. With the Simuma Expansion Project nearing completion, NPC is building a state-of-the-art cement operation driven by efficiency, sustainability, and innovation.
