Anglo American and Aurizon to explore hydrogen freight trains

Aurizon, currently Australia's largest freight train firm, has partnered with mining giant Anglo American to conduct a feasibility study into the use of hydrogen trains for use in heavy-haul freighting in Queensland.

If successful, the trains should run on hydrogen power developed by the miner on Aurizon's existing 180km Moura rail corridor between Anglo American's coal mine at Gladstone Port and the Mount Isa corridor near Townsville as part of their plans to decarbonise completely by 2040.

Read more: Anglo American set 2040 carbon-neutrality targets

The "powertrains" could stand to carry as much as 290 tonnes with a single payload and will aid in the company's shift away from diesel in its haulage operations. Its hydrogen technology will be further tested using a prototype truck, set to be trialled at its Mogalakwena platinum mine in South Africa, where the company is currently looking to set up a green hydrogen hub.

Despite this, the company has yet to formally announce a full transition away from coal. It has demerged its South African coal business and looked to shift away from thermal coal, but the new line suggests the company will be involved with the fossil fuel for some time.

The region reportedly contains 75% of Queensland's base metal and materials including copper, lead, zinc, silver, gold, cobalt and phosphate deposits. The miner is also looking at supplying vanadium to the energy storage market.

Mining is currently massive in Australia, and there are several mineral-rich regions across the nation.

Aurizon has pledged to work towards net-zero emissions by 2050 and is currently conducting research and development into battery-powered trains.

“Hydrogen offers enormous opportunity in decarbonising and continuing to improve the competitiveness of Australia’s export supply chains,” Aurizon’s Managing Director & CEO Andrew Harding said in a statement.

Bulk products underpin much of the Australian economy and reducing emissions in transport and freighting could aid greatly in helping the country reach its climate goals. Despite this, however, Australia continued to invest heavily in fossil fuel projects despite much of the world making moves to shift away from them and has vowed to keep it coal mines open in the aftermath of COP26.

“Zero-carbon hydrogen-powered trains would also significantly boost the current environmental benefits of transporting more of Australia’s bulk freight on rail. Rail freight already produces up to 16 times less carbon pollution per tonne-kilometre than freight hauled via road", Harding added.

Anglo American is also looking at cutting emissions along their value chains - also known as "scope 3" emissions - referring to indirect emissions through supply, shipping, and services not attributed directly to the company, but admits it "cannot achieve this alone", and is attempting to secure partnerships to reach its goals.

Read more: Anglo American explores 3D printed mining tech

“Our agreement with Aurizon marks the first time our hydrogen power technology could be tested beyond our existing mine haul truck programme" the miner's technical director Tony O'Neill said. 

"Displacing our use of diesel is critical to eliminating emissions at our sites and along our value chain. We believe that our innovative hydrogen-led technology provides a versatile solution, whether for trucks or trains or other forms of heavy-duty transport", he added.

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