BHP and Rio Tinto begin battery-electric haul truck trials in Australia
Australia’s first Cat 793 XE Early Learner battery-electric haul trucks have arrived at BHP’s Jimblebar iron ore mine in the Pilbara, marking the start of on-site testing in collaboration with Rio Tinto. The deployment forms part of a joint programme with Caterpillar to evaluate battery-electric heavy haulage technology under real operating conditions in large-scale iron ore mining.
Once commissioned, the trial will assess the viability of battery-electric technology as an alternative to diesel in mining operations. The test programme will also support the development of charging infrastructure, power management systems, operating processes and workforce capabilities required for lower-emissions mine sites.
Data gathered during the trial will inform future deployment strategies and the potential integration of battery-electric haul truck fleets into mining operations. The collaboration supports the net-zero operational greenhouse gas emissions targets of both BHP and Rio Tinto for 2050.
Decarbonisation of Pilbara iron ore operations is expected to rely on advances in technology and research and development. BHP and Rio Tinto are working with Caterpillar to accelerate the development of battery-electric haulage and prepare their fleets for future deployment. Following the joint trial, both mining companies will independently assess progress towards scaled testing within their respective operating environments.
“Powering up our first battery-electric haul trucks in the Pilbara is an important step forward on the mining industry’s road to decarbonisation,” said BHP Western Australia Iron Ore Asset President Tim Day. “Replacing diesel isn’t just about changing energy sources, it’s about reimagining how we operate and creating the technologies, infrastructure and supply chains to transform mining operations.”
“Decarbonising Rio Tinto’s fleet across our 18 Pilbara mines is a significant challenge,” added Rio Tinto Iron Ore Pilbara Mines Managing Director Andrew Wilson. “By exploring solutions like this to reduce emissions, we hope that, over time, we will be able to move away from diesel.”
The large battery-electric 793 dump truck was first presented in 2022. As back then, Catapillar does not give any technical specifications. As mentioned three years ago, the related 793 F model with an 85-litre combustion engine has a rated payload of 231 tonnes. The driving performance (specifically the top speed and the speed on the ten per cent gradient) corresponds to the figures now achieved by the electric prototype.
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