BHP & Rio Tinto Partner with Caterpillar & Komatsu

BHP and Rio Tinto, the world's two largest miners, have partnered to accelerate the first trial of Komatsu and Caterpillar's extensive battery-electric haul truck technology.

It is not the miners' first initiative with Caterpillar and Komatsu. In 2021, the four companies joined forces to develop and validate prototype battery-electric haul trucks. Before that, BHP, Rio Tinto and Vale launched a programme to encourage the development of new concepts for battery-powered large-scale haul trucks.

The trucks included in these trials are based on these prototypes, aiming to revolutionise mining operations with sustainable solutions.

"There is no clear path to net zero without zero-emissions haulage, so it's important that we work together to get there as quickly and efficiently as we can," Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive, Simon Trott said in a statement.

Pilbara region testing

Testing at the mines will be conducted at the companies' massive iron ore mines in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The trials will focus on performance and productivity, which are crucial for large-scale mining operations. The initiative is part of BHP and Rio Tinto's significant efforts to reduce operational emissions and reach net zero by 2050.

Equipment and timeline

Caterpillar and Komatsu will each provide two trucks to both mining giants for these trials. BHP will trial the Caterpillar trucks, while Rio Tinto will test the Komatsu trucks. The CAT 793 truck trials will begin in the second half of 2024 and the testing for the two Komatsu 930 haul trucks will begin in 2026.

Progress in emission reductions

The companies noted they have already reduced Scope 1 and 2 operational greenhouse gas emissions by switching some of their power supply to renewable sources.

"We are looking to build on that progress through the development of battery-electric technology to reduce diesel usage across our operations," BHP's Australia president, Geraldine Slattery, stated.

"Operational decarbonisation relies on technological breakthroughs and partnerships like this will help drive our industry forward,"

Importance of diverse testing

Both Rio Tinto and BHP  believe that testing two types of battery-electric haul trucks in Pilbara conditions will provide better data and accelerate learning. The approach aims to identify the most efficient and effective solutions for decarbonising their fleets.

A new operational ecosystem

Geraldine emphasised the broader implications of these trials.

"Replacing diesel as a fuel source requires us to develop a whole new operational ecosystem to surround the fleet," she said. "We need to address how we plan our mines, operate our haulage networks and consider the additional safety and operational considerations these changes will bring. Hence, trials are critical to our success as we seek to test and learn how these new technologies will work in practice and integrate into our mines.

The partnership between BHP, Rio Tinto, Caterpillar and Komatsu marks a significant milestone in the mining industry's journey towards sustainability. These trials aim to reduce emissions and integrate cutting-edge technology into mining operations, ensuring a greener future for the industry.

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