Rio Tinto partners with Caterpillar for zero-emission mining trucks

Australian mining giant Rio Tinto has partnered with mining equipment provider Caterpillar to deploy a fleet of zero-emission mining trucks at one of its mines in Western Australia.

The two parties signed a memorandum of understanding for 35 new 220-tonne zero-emission autonomous trucks to be used at the Gudai-Darri mine in the iron-rich Pilbara region - supposedly Rio's most technologically advanced mines.

Read more: Rio Tinto and ARENA to explore green hydrogen in alumina refining

As part of this deal, the companies will continue to refine Caterpillar's zero-emissions technology through the creation of prototypes, which will undergo testing before being launched on-site.

“Our ambition to reach net-zero emissions across our operations is a priority", Rio Tinto's CCO Alf Barrios said. "Reaching this ambition will require new and innovative solutions and partnerships with supplier partners like Caterpillar. This collaboration represents a small but important step on that journey."

“We look forward to working together to validate these zero-emissions haul trucks in just a few years’ time. The advanced technology at Gudai-Darri puts it at the forefront of new mining operations globally and we look forward to adding Caterpillar zero-emissions haul trucks to the site", he added.

Caterpillar Group President Denise Johnson said, “The integration of autonomy with a zero-emissions fleet demonstrates Rio Tinto’s commitment to reach net-zero emissions.

“By leveraging these technologies across their sites, Rio Tinto can more safely increase productivity, efficiency and be more sustainable. We are pleased to be part of Rio Tinto’s sustainability journey and look forward to building on our long-standing collaboration.”

Caterpillar also partnered with fellow Australian miner BHP to deliver a fleet of zero-emission trucks - on which the two parties have been testing at various sites for the past 12 months - as the company looks to shift from fossil fuels.

The miner recently sold off its oil & gas unit in a merger with Australia's Woodside - a sector that only accounted for 5% of its profits.

Read more: BHP hopes to leave fossil fuels behind it as it sells off oil & gas unit

Back in June Rio Tinto announced it would be deploying an autonomous water truck at the Gudai-Darri mine, also to be produced by Caterpillar.

The miner is also currently undergoing feasibility trials for a potential extension to the Pilbara mine to the tune of AU$44 million (€23.2 million).

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