BHP (ASX:BHP) has taken another step in its decarbonisation journey as the first electric excavator has become operational at its Yandi Iron Ore Mine in Western Australia.
BHP, which has a market capitalisation of $207.32 billion, says instead of a diesel engine, the R 9400 E Liebherr electric excavator has an electric motor, with power fed to the machine by a trailing cable.
Western Australian iron ore asset president Tim Day says reducing diesel in the business is considered critical to helping achieve the company’s medium-term target to reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030.
“Electrification of our fleet is our preferred solution to displace greenhouse gas emissions from using diesel — from trucks to trains to excavators — we’re working hard to electrify our equipment,” Day says.
“Collaborations with partners like Liebherr are critical to accelerate development of the technology required to reduce diesel emissions, while ensuring we continue to improve the safety and productivity of our operations.”
BHP says being equipped with Liebherr’s autonomous cable reeler for optimal onsite mobility boosts productivity and operator safety.
BHP is focused on adopting cutting-edge technologies and aims to decarbonise its mining equipment by switching from diesel to renewable electricity or other low to zero greenhouse gas emissions power.
The Yandi Iron Ore Mine is one of the five mining hubs in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. It has been open since 1991 and in 2023, it produced 257 million tonnes of iron ore — which is enough to make the steel for around 2,980 Sydney Harbour Bridges.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: BHP
