BHP, Rio Tinto and Caterpillar have launched a trial of two Cat® 793 XE Early Learner battery-electric haul trucks at a mine-site demonstration in Western Australia’s Pilbara.
Following three months of on-site testing at BHP’s Jimblebar iron ore mine, the businesses say the trial is showing progress and reflects an industry effort to tackle the complex challenge of lowering greenhouse gas emissions across large-scale mining operations.
After extensive safety validation and controlled testing at Caterpillar’s Tucson Proving Ground in the United States, the trucks arrived at Jimblebar late last year and are now being put through their paces in one of the world’s most demanding mining environments.
The businesses say the scale and operational intensity of the Pilbara make it an ideal testing ground for the haul trucks, with Jimblebar currently home to two of seven Caterpillar Early Learner battery-electric haul trucks being tested globally.
The trial is generating critical data to assess technical readiness, infrastructure requirements and commercial feasibility, including trialling high-powered static and dynamic charging solutions.
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More than 100 hours of operation and over 200 test laps have occurred in early phase testing, with insights helping validate key assumptions around safety, technology and maintenance of the trucks.
The next phase of the trial will evaluate dynamic charging via an innovative energy transfer system that will charge the trucks while in motion. This could be one of the keys to unlocking operational efficiency.
Western Australia Premier Roger Cook and mines and petroleum minister David Michael joined representatives from BHP, Rio Tinto, Caterpillar and WesTrac to see the trucks in operation.
“I want Western Australia’s economy to remain the strongest in the nation, which is why my government is fully behind BHP and Rio Tinto’s efforts to decarbonise and help make WA a renewable energy powerhouse,” Cook says.
“Thanks to Caterpillar, these electric trucks will help deliver my government’s vision of reducing emissions in the Pilbara so this region can continue keeping both the WA and national economy strong.”
BHP Australia president Geraldine Slattery says investing in battery-electric haul truck fleet technology and operations in the Pilbara is key to the group’s decarbonisation.
“This trial is helping to advance the technology we need and improve our understanding of how to scale across our operations, from charging infrastructure and energy management through to how it integrates into safe and productive operations,” Slattery says.
“This is exactly why industry collaboration matters. By working together, we can accelerate progress in the technologies enabling electrification, on what is needed in the mining operation, and in the supply chain.”
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