BHP and Rio Tinto start testing Caterpillar EV mining trucks

Two of the world's biggest mining companies have begun testing a giant EV.

BHP and Rio Tinto have received Australia’s first Cat 793 XE Early Learner battery-electric haul trucks, with on-testing testing getting underway at BHP’s Jimblebar iron ore mine in Australia's Pilbara region.

This marks the start of a potential breakthrough for Caterpillar’s battery-electric heavy haulage technology.

The joint trial is intended to assess whether battery-electric haulage can replace diesel in large-scale iron ore operations, to support both miners as they work torward net-zero operational greenhouse gas emissions goals by 2050.

Two trucks, supplied under an industry-first collaboration between BHP, Rio Tinto and Caterpillar, and supported by WesTrac, are designed to operate with zero exhaust emissions while maintaining productivity and performance.

Once the trucks are safely commissioned, the trial will examine technology, processes, infrastructure and workforce needs for lower-emissions equipment and future mine sites, with each company to decide after the joint program whether to move to larger-scale trials.

BHP Western Australia Iron Ore Asset President Tim Day 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,” adding that “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.”

Rio Tinto Iron Ore Pilbara Mines Managing Director Andrew Wilson said “no single company can achieve zero emissions haulage on its own” and that the partners hope the collaboration will help them “reach our net zero commitments.”

Caterpillar Resource Industries Sales Services and Technology Senior Vice President Marc Cameron said the arrival of the Early Learner trucks “marks a significant milestone in the journey toward a more sustainable future,” and that working “side by side” with customers is “key to accelerating innovation and shaping the next generation of mining technology.”

The companies said ongoing testing and development during the trial will guide future deployment, including potential integration of larger battery-electric haul truck fleets into their operations.

The recap

• BHP and Rio Tinto receive first Cat 793 XE battery-electric trucks.
• Trucks will be trialled at BHP’s Jimblebar iron ore mine.
• Results will inform possible scaled trials and future fleet deployment.