Finning will provide Cat 794 AC electric drive trucks and other large mining machines. Working with Caterpillar, the firm will assist in facilitating autonomous operations at QB2 by 2022. This involves providing the project with Cat ‘Command for Hauling' system and 794 AC autonomous haulage technology kits.

Finning president and chief executive Scott Thomson was "excited" to be involved in delivering what would be the first fleet of electric drive, autonomous off-highway trucks in Chile, which he said would improve operational efficiencies and safety.

Thomson said the supplier remained bullish on copper in the long term and would continue to leverage its Integrated Knowledge Centre in Antofagasta, Chile, to support further equipment technology upgrades.

QB2 has a 28-year mine life currently with the possibility of expansion. Production is scheduled to start in 2021 with 316,000 tonnes of copper-equivalent delivered annually for the first five years.