Mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP Group have announced a joint initiative to test battery-powered large electric haul trucks technology in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, marking a significant step towards sustainability.
The trials aim to evaluate the performance and efficiency of these electric haul trucks in the challenging Pilbara environment.
Under the collaboration, Rio Tinto and BHP will work with leading manufacturers Caterpillar and Komatsu to conduct independent trials of their own battery-powered electric haul trucks.
This initiative is part of both companies’ broader strategy to achieve net zero operational greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Simon Trott, CEO of Rio Tinto Iron Ore, emphasized the importance of such collaborations in addressing the common challenge of decarbonizing operations and fulfilling net zero commitments.
Trott stated, “As we work to power our Pilbara operations with renewable energy, partnerships like these bring us closer to addressing the shared challenge of decarbonizing our operations and fulfilling our net zero commitments.”
The trials will constitute the initial phase of electric haul truck testing at both BHP and Rio Tinto’s Pilbara operations. Two Cat 793 haul trucks will commence testing in the second half of 2024, while two Komatsu 930 haul trucks will begin trials in 2026.
These trials represent a significant step in transitioning the mining sector towards more environmentally friendly practices and have the potential to substantially reduce the carbon footprint of large-scale mining operations.
The outcomes of these trials could pave the way for broader adoption of electric vehicles in the mining sector and align with global efforts to combat climate change.
Source: investing.com
