Facilitated by Austmine, the global initiative is aimed at developing concepts for large scale haul truck electrification systems.

By large scale haul trucks Austmine means a 220t payload truck, which is pretty much an industry standard.

Austmine international business director Robert Trzebski said the industry required a safe solution that could be applied across the many and varied mines, mine infrastructures and truck manufacturers.

A key part of the challenge is creating a solution that can be charged through a standard interface.

Of course, the biggest challenge in supplanting diesel in mining is getting around the fact that modern mines have been designed around the fuel and the capabilities it brings to equipment. 

"We cannot solve the decarbonisation challenge alone and are looking beyond the mining sector for a solution and would like to invite you to participate in the challenge," Trzebski said.

"You will have the opportunity to extend your reach into the global mining industry as we work to decarbonise our operations.

"Participants will be required to develop or tailor technologies that will also unlock significant safety, productivity and operational improvements."

The solution has to be capable of supplying 400 kilowattt hours of electricity to a truck during each haul cycle and provide battery charging or both propulsion and battery charging.

Interoperability will also be a key, allowing different haul truck manufacturers to use the same charging infrastructure.