How Haul Trucks Keep Mining Moving

Haul trucks are the heavy lifters of modern mining. Whether it’s transporting thousands of tons of ore per day or supporting the efficiency of an entire mine site, these massive machines play a critical role in keeping mining operations productive, safe, and profitable. 

In this guide, we’ll explore what haul trucks are, how they work in mining environments, and why they’re an essential part of Canada’s resource economy from the oil sands of Alberta to the gold mines of British Columbia and beyond. 

A haul truck is a type of off-highway, ultra-class vehicle specifically designed for heavy material transport across rugged terrain. Unlike road trucks, haul trucks are built for extreme loads, performance on grade, and constant operation in harsh, remote environments like surface mines and quarries. 

In mining, haul trucks typically transport ore, waste rock, or overburden between the pit and processing facilities, keeping the entire production chain moving. 

Mining operations depend on reliable, high-capacity hauling to move materials from where they're extracted to where they’re processed. Haul trucks ensure uninterrupted material flow across the site. 

Haul trucks work in tightly managed cycles: 


• Loading – Shovels, excavators or wheel loaders fill the truck’s bed or dump body. 
• Hauling – The truck transports material over haul roads to a dump point. 
• Dumping – Payloads are tipped into crushers, stockpiles, or waste dumps. 
• Returning – The truck loops back for the next load. 

These cycles repeat 24/7 in most surface mines, with minimal idle time. The more efficiently this cycle runs, the more profitable the operation. 

Mining sites in Canada use a variety of haul truck types depending on terrain, climate, and mine design. 

Modern haul trucks aren’t just machines—they’re mobile data centres. Canadian mining companies are adopting smart technology to improve performance, reduce costs, and support sustainability. 

While conveyors and rail systems are sometimes used in large-scale operations, haul trucks remain the most flexible and scalable material transport method in open-pit mining. 

Downtime is expensive. That’s why haul truck fleets in Canada are supported by rigorous maintenance schedules and dealer-backed service networks like Finning. 

Routine servicing is critical to minimise wear and detect early signs of component failure. This includes: 

• Oil & filter changes 
• Hydraulic checks 
• Undercarriage inspections 
• Tyre pressure & tread monitoring 

When trucks reach the end of their first life cycle, many are rebuilt rather than retired—extending lifespan while reducing capital costs. 

Haul trucks can be equipped with the following: 

• Collision avoidance systems 
• Operator fatigue monitoring 
• Emergency shut-offs 
• Visibility aids like 360° cameras and radar 

Finning is the world’s largest Cat® dealer, with a long-standing presence in Canada. We supply, service, and support Cat® haul trucks across every major mining region—from Saskatchewan’s potash mines to Alberta’s oil sands. 

With Finning, you benefit from: 

• Access to the full range of Cat haul trucks 
• 24/7 field support and remote diagnostics 
• Cat® Command autonomous solutions 
• Extended warranty and financing options 
• Trusted partnerships with Canada’s top mining companies 

Haul trucks are more than just equipment—they're the foundation of efficient, scalable mining operations. As Canada continues to lead the global mining sector, these machines will remain central to achieving safer, smarter, and more sustainable extraction. 

Whether you're expanding a fleet, transitioning to autonomy, or looking to optimise uptime, Finning can help you move more, faster, and with confidence. 

In mining, a haul truck is used to transport large volumes of material—such as ore, waste rock, or overburden—from the excavation site to processing areas, waste dumps, or stockpiles. These trucks are the backbone of surface mining operations, supporting continuous production by keeping the load-haul-dump cycle in motion. 
 
In Canada, haul trucks are essential across various mining types, including: 
 
Oil sands (e.g. Alberta): hauling bitumen-rich ore 
Metal, coal and mineral mines (e.g BC): transporting gold, copper, silver, zinc and molybdenum. 
Coal and potash (e.g. Saskatchewan): moving overburden and raw product 
 
Their high payload capacity and off-road durability make them ideal for harsh conditions and remote operations. 

The main difference lies in design and use case:

• Frame: Fixed (rigid) frame 
• Terrain: Best on firm, graded surfaces 
• Manoeuvrability: Less agile 
• Payload Capacity: Higher (up to 400+ tons) 
• Common Use: Open-pit mining 

• Frame: Pivot point between cab and body 
• Terrain: Ideal for rough, uneven, or muddy ground  
• Manoeuvrability: Highly manoeuvrable 
• Payload Capacity: Lower (up to ~45 tons) 
• Common Use: Smaller or variable terrain sites

Typically, no—the haul trucks used in surface mining are far too large for underground tunnels. Instead, underground mines use smaller, purpose-built vehicles like: 
 
Underground dump trucks (also called LHDs or “load-haul-dump” machines) 
Shuttle cars or low-profile trucks 
 
These machines are compact, highly manoeuvrable, and built to work in confined spaces with low ceilings. However, the principle of hauling remains the same move material efficiently from point of extraction to a shaft, conveyor, or skip hoist for surface transport.

In Canadian mining regions where temperatures can drop below -40°C, haul trucks require specialised cold-weather maintenance to ensure performance and safety. This includes: 

• Cold-start systems: Block heaters, fuel warmers, and ether injection to help start engines in sub-zero conditions 
• Winterised fluids: Using low-viscosity oils and antifreeze rated for extreme cold 
• Heated cabs and components: Operator comfort and safety, plus functioning hydraulics and air brakes 
• Frequent inspections: Daily checks for frozen lines, brittle hoses, and worn tyres 
• Scheduled warm-ups: Idle or cycle machines to prevent sudden shock to engines and hydraulic systems 
   
  Proper winter maintenance practices helps prevent costly breakdowns and ensures maximum uptime in Canada’s most demanding mining environments. 

Finning is the world's largest Caterpillar dealer, selling, renting and providing parts and service for equipment and engines to customers across diverse industries, including mining, construction, petroleum, forestry and a wide range of power systems applications. We operate in Western Canada, South America, and UK and Ireland.