FUELS & OILS
Singapore to Rio Tinto’ s Parker Point fuel terminal in Dampier by Viva Energy and blended portside with fossil diesel to create a mix with about 20 % renewable diesel. It was then distributed across Rio Tinto’ s Pilbara iron ore operations for use in rail, marine, blasting, haul trucks, surface mining equipment and light vehicles.
The four-week trial in January and February 2025 provided an understanding of how renewable diesel use could be scaled up across Rio Tinto’ s Australian operations in the future, giving key insights into the bulk renewable diesel supply chain, importation and blending processes. It also reduced Rio Tinto’ s Scope 1 emissions by about 27,000 tonnes of direct greenhouse gas emissions.
BHP’ s position on biofuels
BHP’ s position on biofuels was most recently outlined in its 2024 Climate Transition Action Plan in which it states:“ We consider biofuels as a backup option if electrification is delayed or unsuccessful, and we continue to monitor developments in this area. Our position on biofuels is informed by a trial in FY2023 that provided us valuable insights into using hydrogenated vegetable oil in multiple types of mining equipment. The trial also helped us understand the biofuels value chain and the importance of standards and quality assurance to mitigate potential concerns with these fuels( eg competition with food production, water use, land use, and transparency of feedstocks). While our plan for displacing diesel used in most of our mining equipment / vehicles is clear, our potential pathway to decarbonise hardto-electrify mining equipment / vehicles( eg drill rigs, dozers, tugboats) and other ancillary equipment is less clear. Biofuels are a technically viable option, but remain relatively expensive and subject to the potential environmental and ethical concerns we noted from our trial. We will continue to look for opportunities to collaborate to support further innovation for hard-toelectrify equipment.”
The 2023 trial saw BHP trialling the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil( HVO) to help power mining equipment at its Yandi iron ore operations in Western Australia. Supplied through a collaboration with bp, the renewable diesel made from HVO was used in haul trucks and other mining equipment over an initial three-month trial period.
BHP Western Australia Iron Ore( WAIO) Asset President, Brandon Craig, said at the time:“ About 40 % of BHP’ s operational greenhouse gas emissions come from using diesel fuel, and this is a core focus of our decarbonisation strategy. Ultimately, our aim is to have fully electric trucking fleets at our sites, but alternative fuels like HVO may help us reduce our emissions in the meantime while the electrification transition takes place. This collaboration with the teams at Yandi and bp is really exciting to see, given the potential application in our WAIO business and BHP’ s operations globally.”
Dual fuel developments in mining
In 2024, with the support of the client and a partnership with Mine Energy Solutions( MES), Thiess continued its trial of dual fuel – diesel and natural gas – to power mining fleet, with two 793F trucks at a Queensland mine site, achieving diesel substitution rates of more than 70 %. Positive trial results confirm the gas substitution delivers significant emissions reductions. Key learnings from the trial have been gathered and a strategy is being developed for expansion of the program.
In India, Energeia recently secured exclusive technology transfer rights from GFS Corp, the US inventor and patent-holder of advanced bi-fuel technology. This allows it to develop EnerGas kits using the EVO-MT ® System, one of the most widely-tested LNG bi-fuel technologies, to cut mining emissions and costs. Energeia has in turn partnered with Larsen & Toubro( L & T) Construction and Mining Machinery as its exclusive distributor for conversions after the completion of a successful pilot project at Tata Steel. The partners offer comprehensive LNG conversion services for high horsepower engines – including sales, installation, support, and spare parts.
L & T stated:“ It has been successfully tested at Tata Steel’ s West
In 2023, BHP and bp collaborated on a HVO mining equipment trial at Yandi
A & S on Sulnox fuel conditioner
UK-based global company A & S International offers a diverse range of innovations for the fuels, oils and lubricants market. This includes Sulnox Eco, a 100 % organic fuel conditioner proven to deliver significant fuel savings & GHG emission reductions. It says they achieve average fuel savings of 6 % in mining applications( with an average > 400 % ROI achieved in weeks), along with c. 90 % particulate reduction and lower CO₂, NOx and SOx. Simply added to the fuel tank at a 1:2,000 ratio, the conditioner scavenges free water into microscopic droplets within the fuel, delivering more complete combustion – plus added lubricity and decarbonisation benefits. It is applicable to all liquid hydrocarbon fuels and already used in 40 + countries.
Bokaro Coal Mines in Jharkhand, where it was installed on Komatsu HD785-7 dump trucks that are marketed and serviced in India by L & T. The collaborative efforts of Tata Steel, Komatsu India and GFS Corporation led to a successful resolution and smooth operation. Subsequent to this, L & T, GFS Corporation and Energeia Microgrid Pvt Ltd inked an agreement to market the technology in India. GFS specialises in dual-fuel retrofit conversions and has a proven track record in the mining industry. Energeia is the exclusive licensing partner for manufacture and sale of EVO-MT system in India under the GFS brand. This partnership will make the technology available across India, with L & T playing a crucial role in its deployment and support. The move demonstrates L & T’ s commitment to innovation and sustainability.”
In May 2024, Chilean iron ore miner CMP and ENGIE Chile began a four-month pilot project seeking to significantly reduce emissions at the Los Colorados Mine, located in Huasco, Atacama Region. The mining company’ s 220 t class Caterpillar 793 truck was modified with a conversion kit to implement an innovative dual-fuel system, utilising primarily LNG and, to a lesser extent, diesel. This means the truck was expected to reduce CO 2 emissions by 15 % to 25 % and particulate matter( PM) emissions by 25 % to 35 %. The truck was to remain in the pilot phase for four months, during which time both companies would analyse the truck’ s operation and performance using this new fuel system. Key aspects to be evaluated included replacing natural gas with diesel, reducing CO 2 and PM emissions, and improving productivity and availability, among others.
38 International Mining | JULY 2025