Norilsk, 1 September 2025 — Nornickel announces the start of pilot operations in Norilsk for the first-ever prototype load-haul-dump (LHD) machine, jointly developed and manufactured by BELAZ holding company for the extreme conditions of Nornickel’s underground mines. The vehicle symbolises an industrial partnership between Russia and Belarus and represents a major milestone in the import substitution programme for high-tech mining machinery.

“The MoAZ-4076 is the first prototype of a heavy-duty LHD produced within the BELAZ holding. It was custom-built for Nornickel through close cooperation between our companies. All our requirements were taken into account: the machine is adapted to the specific conditions of Norilsk’s mines, with their inclined and complex-terrain workings. The entire process, from development to manufacturing and delivery, took over a year, but the result was well worth the effort,” said Andrey Skokov, Head of Projects at Nornickel’s Polar Division.

The new LHD has a power output of 470 hp and weighs 55 tonnes. It can haul up to 17.2 tonnes of rock mass in a single trip — a capacity previously only matched by top foreign analogues. Its high manoeuvrability and compact size allow it to operate effectively on inclines, a critical feature for conditions in the Polar region.

Special attention was paid to safety: the cabin complies with international ROPS and FOPS standards and is equipped with blind spot monitoring and collision avoidance systems, as well as a mountain brake. These solutions meet the strictest requirements of federal legislation for mining equipment safety and help minimise risks for personnel in challenging underground environments.

Specialists at the Angidrit mine of the Kayerkansky mine complex are already evaluating the new LHD’s capabilities, where a key component for backfill mixture is mined. The machine is expected to handle a high-volume workload, completing 120–140 loading cycles per day. This is a level of productivity previously unattainable in similar sections and could fundamentally change the approach to organising underground operations. Furthermore, the automated control system, set for further development in our ongoing collaboration, will pave the way for even more efficient and safer operating modes.

“Today, many are trying to offer alternatives to imported equipment, but often the ‘domestic facade’ hides the same American and European components. In essence, this is not true import substitution but mere repackaging. We chose a different path — a close partnership with BELAZ. Our Belarusian colleagues manufacture the key components themselves, such as axles and transmissions, while the engines are Russian-made. This is not just joint assembly; it is a truly import-independent machine built on the principles of technological sovereignty. We expect a service life comparable to the best imported models, but we understand that pilot operations may require further refinements. This is part of the process. The main thing is that we have started moving forward,” emphasised Igor Payatelev, Director of Production Support at Nornickel’s Polar Division.

The LHD will be operated by qualified 6th-grade operators who have received training under the guidance of the manufacturer's representatives.

The delivery of the new equipment was made possible by an agreement to expand cooperation signed between Nornickel and BELAZ in January 2025. While previously BELAZ supplied primarily open-pit dump trucks for surface mining, the partners are now focusing on specialised underground equipment, including prospective battery-electric autonomous vehicles, which will help reduce the carbon footprint and improve the environmental situation in the Arctic in the future.

Nornickel and BELAZ launch first jointly developed underground loader in Norilsk