BHP and Rio Tinto test Caterpillar’s electric haul trucks in Pilbara

BHP and Rio Tinto on Tuesday said they are testing Caterpillar’s battery-electric haul trucks at BHP’s Jimblebar iron ore mine in Western Australia, as the top miners look to cut down their emissions.

A three-month initial trial of Caterpillar’s two XE Early Learner battery-electric haul trucks at BHP’s Jimblebar iron ore mine has shown “meaningful progress,” the companies said.

“The scale and operational intensity of the Pilbara make it an ideal testing ground for the haul trucks,” they added.

The next phase of the trial will test a system that can charge the trucks while operating, which could improve efficiency.

Jimblebar is currently home to two of seven Caterpillar’s Early Learner battery-electric haul trucks being tested globally, the companies said.

(By Kumar Tanishk; Editing by Sonia Cheema)