Rio Tinto and BHP to pilot electric trucks in effort to reduce carbon emissions in mining industry
The mining giants will collaborate with Caterpillar and Komatsu to conduct independent trials of battery-electric haul trucks.
Mining industry leaders Rio Tinto Group and BHP have announced a partnership to test large battery-electric haul truck technology in Pilbara, Western Australia.
Both companies have confirmed their intent to work with Caterpillar and Komatsu on independent trials of various products, including battery-electric haul trucks, as well as testing battery, static, and dynamic charging systems to evaluate their effectiveness and productivity.
As part of the collaboration, two Cat 793 haul trucks will undergo trials starting in the second half of 2024, followed by two Komatsu 930 haul trucks in 2026 at Pilbara mine sites.
Caterpillar announced the successful demonstration of its first battery-electric 793 large mining truck in November 2022, with participation from BHP, Freeport-McMoRan, Newmont, Rio Tinto, and Teck Resources in its Early Learner program.
“This partnership brings together two major global miners with two of the largest haul truck manufacturers in the world to address the critical challenge of zero-emissions haulage,” said Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Simon Trott.
“As we transition our Pilbara operations to renewable energy, collaborations like this bring us closer to solving the common challenge of decarbonizing our operations and meeting our net-zero commitments.”
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Since 2021, both Rio and BHP have collaborated with Komatsu and Caterpillar to facilitate the development and validation of prototype battery-electric haul trucks, with the trial trucks being based on these prototypes.
A report from McKinsey and Company indicates that the mining industry contributes between 1.9 and 5.1 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent in greenhouse gas emissions annually.
The same report highlights that a significant portion of these emissions stem from fugitive coal-based methane produced during coal mining operations.
Rio Tinto formerly operated Rio Tinto Coal Australia but ceased operations after divesting all remaining coal assets in 2018.
Mr. Trott emphasizes the importance of companies collaborating to achieve the net-zero goal swiftly and efficiently.
“Conducting trials on two types of battery-electric haul trucks in Pilbara conditions will yield valuable data, and our partnership with BHP will expedite our learning process,” he added.
In a similar statement, BHP Australia President Geraldine Slattery mentioned that working with Rio and Komatsu can aid in the decarbonization of mining operations.
“Achieving operational decarbonization hinges on technological breakthroughs, and partnerships like this will drive our industry forward. We are excited to collaborate with Rio Tinto, Caterpillar, and Komatsu on these trials,” Ms. Slattery stated.
“Transitioning from diesel to alternative fuel sources requires us to establish a new operational ecosystem around the fleet. We must reconsider how we plan our mines, manage our haulage networks, and address the additional safety and operational considerations that these changes entail.
“This underscores the importance of trials in our success as we strive to test and understand how these new technologies will function in reality and integrate into our mining operations.”
In 2017, Reuters reported that BHP was integrating electric batteries into its operations to support its nickel business operations.
The company anticipates increased demand for nickel as more individuals and companies turn to electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions and achieve the net-zero target by 2050.
