Something BIG has rolled into the Britannia Mine Museum, bringing childhood dreams of giant trucks to life in a hands-on, larger-than-life experience.

Step into the world of modern mining this summer with the colossal Cat® 793C Mining Truck, generously donated by Finning Canada towering over 21 feet tall and weighing more than 325,000 lbs. Visitors get to climb up onto the upper platform of one of the largest mining trucks they’ll ever experience up close and see mining from the perspective of those who operate these massive machines. This mining truck once operated in a northern British Columbia mine, working over 78,500 hours and hauling more than 43 million metric tons. 

Showcasing the scale, engineering, and impact of modern mining, it towers over the existing WABCO Haul Truck that was originally donated to the museum in 1991. 

“We’re excited to debut the Cat® 793C Mining Truck as our newest attraction at the Britannia Mine Museum,” says Cheryl Hendrickson, Executive Director of the Britannia Mine Museum. “It allows visitors to experience the immense scale of these mining giants firsthand, encouraging a deeper and more informed understanding of modern mining.”

Over the course of one dedicated week, a crew of four Finning Canada specialists finished the complex assembly of the Cat® 793C Mining Truck right on-site. It took 88 hours of shop labour, 149 hours of field labour and six transported loads to get the truck to the museum. See the time lapsed assembly video here. 

This massive machine is the centrepiece of the museum’s newest summer exhibit, “Giants at Work: Big Jobs, Bigger Machines,” showcasing the incredible scale and power of monumental mining equipment that keep today’s mining industry moving. Running from May 16 to September 7, visitors will learn about towering mining trucks to massive excavators, bulldozers and loaders that support large-scale mining operations and discover the skilled people who operate, maintain, and work alongside them every day. 

Kids of all ages can explore the science and engineering behind these giant machines through interactive, hands-on activities designed for curious minds. The family-friendly interactive exhibit highlights how the mining industry has and continues to innovate and evolve to meet the needs of modern society, not only through advances in technology and heavy machinery, but also through the people behind the work. From early hand tools to today’s automated giant machines and data-driven systems, it showcases the innovations that have transformed how resources are discovered, extracted, and managed.

But the adventure doesn’t stop there. Visitors can “step into the driver’s seat” of the brand-new CAT Mining Truck Simulator, where guests can take the controls and experience what it’s like to operate a massive mining truck, haul loads and navigate through a virtual mine environment. Experience the focus and skill required to operate machines of this scale safely and efficiently, all within a guided, hands-on simulation. This new ticketed attraction is the closest most people will ever get to driving a 325,000-pound mining giant. 

Located 45 minutes north of Vancouver on the picturesque Sea-to-Sky highway, the Britannia Mine Museum provides unique and memorable experiences that engage visitors of all ages. Visitors can enjoy hands-on exhibits and crowd favourites like the underground mine train, gold panning, the award-winning special effects BOOM! show inside the historic 20-storey Mill No. 3 building, the minerals and gem gallery, the gift shop, and the Beaty Lundin Visitor Centre.

The CAT® 793C Mining Truck attraction and “Giants at Work: Big Jobs, Bigger Machines” summer exhibit are included as part of general admission. Visitors can conveniently purchase tickets for the Mining Truck Simulatordirectly on-site. General admission tickets and annual memberships are available online at www.britanniaminemuseum.ca.