These two trucks, supplied through a partnership between BHP, Rio Tinto and Caterpillar, are designed to operate with zero exhaust emissions while maintaining the same productivity and performance levels as conventional diesel trucks. After commissioning and safety checks, the trial programme will evaluate the suitability of battery-electric technology for large-scale iron ore mining as an alternative to diesel-powered equipment.
The trials will provide data on required technology, charging infrastructure, power management systems and operational processes needed to support lower-emission equipment in future mining operations. BHP and Rio Tinto are working with Caterpillar, with support from WesTrac, to advance the development of these solutions and prepare for fleet transition when the technology becomes commercially and operationally practical.
After the joint trial concludes, BHP and Rio Tinto will separately assess the results and decide on next steps for larger-scale testing within their own operations.
Tim Day, Western Australia Iron Ore Asset President at BHP, said:
"Powering up our first battery-electric haul trucks in the Pilbara is an important step forward on the mining industry's road to decarbonisation.
"Replacing diesel isn't just about changing energy sources, it's about reimagining how we operate and creating the technologies, infrastructure and supply chains to transform mining operations. These trials will help us understand how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together: the battery technologies, generation and charging infrastructure, power management, as well as the supply chains to potentially deliver this at scale.
"A significant shift like this demands a strong commitment to research and development, coupled with collaboration across the industry. This is going to take time to get right, which is why trials like this one with Rio Tinto and Caterpillar are so critical.
"These trials are a critical part of this work as we bring the testing to the reality of the Pilbara. We're excited about what we'll learn about how best to deliver the breakthroughs required to accelerate this transition."
Andrew Wilson, Rio Tinto Iron Ore Managing Director Pilbara Mines, said:
"Decarbonising Rio Tinto's fleet across our 18 Pilbara mines is a significant challenge. By exploring solutions like this to reduce emissions, we hope that, over time, we will be able to move away from diesel.
"No single company can achieve zero emissions haulage on its own. It takes the whole industry working together. That's why we're working with BHP and Caterpillar to develop new solutions that will reduce emissions in mining and help us reach our net zero commitments.
"Through this industry-first collaboration to test Cat 793 XE Early Learner battery-electric haul trucks in Pilbara conditions, we hope to meet our shared goals as quickly and efficiently as we can."
Marc Cameron, Senior Vice President, Resource Industries Sales, Services and Technology, Caterpillar Inc, said:
"The arrival of the Early Learner trucks in the Pilbara marks a significant milestone in the journey toward a more sustainable future. By working side by side with our customers, we're delivering solutions to help them solve their toughest challenges while learning together each step of the way. This collaboration is key to accelerating innovation and shaping the next generation of mining technology, and we're excited to be on this journey together with our Early Learner customers."
Results from the trial will guide future testing of additional battery-electric haul trucks and support the companies' respective goals of reaching net zero operational greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
