BHP to trial energy system that can charge giant battery haul trucks as they work

Mining giant BHP is to become the first company to trial new energy transfer systems that would allow giant battery electric haul trucks to be recharged, even as they work.

The trials are to take place at the company’s giant Escondido copper mine in Chile and its Jimblebar iron ore mine in the Pilbara, and will use Caterpillar’s Dynamic Energy Transfer (DET) system that allows the transfer of energy to both diesel electric and battery electric large mining trucks while they are working around a mine site.

BHP says the system can also charge an electric haul truck’s batteries while the machine is on the move, and the system’s infrastructure is flexible, which allows it to be easily relocated when compared to current commercialised offerings, including large, fixed overhead trolleys.

BHP and Caterpillar have been working for two years on options for battery electric haul trucks and the trials will be tested out at on 372 tonne battery electric trucks. BHP has also said it sees no future in hydrogen technologies for the big haul trucks.

The announcement came at a Las Vegas mine expo where rival iron ore miner Fortescue announced a $4 billion deal with Liehberr to buy hundreds of giant battery electric haul trucks, dozers and electric excavators as it ramps up efforts to reach “real zero” in its iron ore operations by 2030.

BHP says the collaboration with Caterpillar has helped shape the processes, technology and infrastructure that will be required to support diesel electric and battery electric mining trucks and the mine sites of the future.

The DET system was unveiled just over a week ago, and includes a power module that converts energy from a mine site’s power source, an electrified rail system to transmit the energy, and a machine system to transfer the energy to the truck’s powertrain.

“We are pleased to be able to trial the DET technology that Caterpillar has developed, and it is a welcome addition in our plans to enable zero-emissions mining truck deployment at BHP,” chief commercial officer Ragner Udd said in  a statement.

Caterpillar president Denise Johnson said the deal is an important next step to validate the crucial energy management solutions needed to support the broader mining industry.