Just some further info on the Haul Trucks Teck uses for copper mining, as a friend of mine drives at Highland Valley.

They use CAT 797F trucks with a 400 ton capacity (about 4 rail cars per dump). To say these trucks are huge would be an understatement! Tires are 14 ft tall. They could back over a pickup truck and not even know it. $5 million each.

Powered by a 4,000 hp, 20-cylinder, quad turbocharged motor it burns a lot of fuel. The fuel tank holds 7000 litres, but the trucks are fueled and ready before going on shift so he is not sure what is burned during a 12 hour shift - he guesses 1/3 tank...

They only drive them at 15 MPH to keep the damage down on the roadbed.

Fuel and maintenance dwarf labour costs, at least thats what he said...