Mining juggernaut BHP says it will partner with American machinery and equipment company Caterpillar to develop and deploy zero-emission mining trucks at BHP sites.
The partnership between BHP and Caterpillar will see the two companies work to develop zero-emission battery-powered large mining trucks that will be designed and built by Caterpillar and deployed at BHP mining locations.
As part of the new agreement, BHP will be granted early access to Caterpillar’s zero-emissions equipment and will provide input through the development and testing process. The newly announced partnership is the result of over 12 months of close work between teams from both companies, analysing energy demands and options to apply new technologies at BHP sites.
“We are pleased to announce our partnership with Caterpillar Inc. to develop and deploy zero-emissions mining trucks at BHP,” said Vandita Pant, BHP’s chief commercial officer.
“Climate change is a critical global challenge, and we know that partnering with others will help accelerate the transition to a low carbon future.
“The opportunity for our teams to input into the design process also gives us confidence that the trucks will be safer and easier to operate for a workforce that’s more diverse than ever.”
BHP, one of Caterpillar’s largest customers, has committed to achieving net-zero operational greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 – which applies only to its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions – and shifting its mining vehicles to battery electric will go a long way to start this process.
Thankfully, BHP has not ignored its Scope 3 emissions responsibility, and partners with its upstream and downstream partners to reduce these emissions.
“Caterpillar is pleased to work with BHP on the next generation of large mining trucks and mine site technology,” said Denise Johnson, Caterpillar group president. “Deeply integrating our teams and timelines, will allow for faster deployment to deliver zero-emissions solutions.”
Ironically, Caterpillar has yet to make its own binding long-term net-zero commitments, having only set marginal emissions reduction targets out to 2030. Caterpillar’s 2030 goals have targeted reducing its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 30% by 2030, against 2018 levels.
The company’s 2030 goals also claim that “100% of Caterpillar’s new products through 2030 will be more sustainable than the previous generation” – promising only that they will be “more” sustainable, not fully sustainable.
In June, Caterpillar’s shareholders narrowly missed forcing the company to disclose its net-zero goals, if they have any to begin with. The shareholder proposal, which was brought by shareholder advocacy group As You Sow, obtained around 48% of votes at Caterpillar’s June AGM.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.