FUELS & OILS
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.
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 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.
CMP added that this project represents a significant step toward the decarbonisation of large-scale mining in Chile and marks a path forward within the industry, where the company maintains an active role in the application of technology and innovation in this field.
Fuel analysis – Cascadia Scientific joins Modular Ecosystem
In November 2024, Cascadia Scientific announced a recently executed agreement with the Mining Technology Solutions group of Komatsu to join its Modular Ecosystem. Komatsu’ s Mining Technologies Solutions is the global leader in mine management technology and is wholly owned by Komatsu Ltd, while Cascadia Scientific is an organisation focused on the application of machine learning techniques to improve mine haul energy efficiency.
Cascadia stated:“ The agreement presents immediate benefit for Cascadia Scientific’ s customers using Komatsu equipment who can now realize enhanced Cascadia Scientific insights enabled by access to Komtrax data under this new agreement, but this is only the beginning. As a Modular Ecosystem Partner, Cascadia Scientific is eager to consult with customers running Komatsu’ s products to understand how real-time high precision fuel sensing or mine-haul machine learning models can be applied in new and creative ways to help miners improve their operations, or address long standing challenges.”
One of the services Cascadia is best known for is its fuel trials.“ The relentless pursuit of improved fuel efficiency and lower operating costs has spurred rapid growth in marketing enhanced fuels and lubricants. These formulations, additised with detergents, stabilisers, and corrosion inhibitors, are offered by most, if not all, leading petrochemical suppliers and many
International Mining | JULY 2025