A new deal between Fortescue and Liebherr to advance carbon-free mining will include the deployment of a complete autonomous battery-electric haulage solution for large-scale mining operations.
The partnership includes jointly developed technology and features 475 zero-emission Liebherr machines – 360 autonomous battery-electric trucks, 55 electric excavators and 60 battery-powered dozers.
A zero-emission battery power system used in the battery-electric trucks has been developed by Fortescue Zero, Fortescue’s technology arm.
Fortescue Zero’s battery power system will also be integrated into an electric version of Liebherr’s flagship mining dozer, the PR 776.
The large-scale zero-emission mining ecosystem developed by Liebherr and Fortescue will be available to the rest of the mining industry in the near future.
This deal is expected to create one of the world’s largest zero-emission mining fleets and represents a breakthrough in the pursuit of a mining industry no longer reliant on fossil fuels. It is the single largest equipment deal in the Liebherr Group’s 75-year history.
The total value of the partnership, comprising the supply of machines by Liebherr and the battery power system from Fortescue Zero, is up to US$2.8 billion.
Liebherr-Mining Equipment SAS Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Dr Jörg Lukowski, said the company is proud to have facilitated the single largest equipment deal in the entire 75-year history of the Liebherr Group.
“The expansion of our collaboration with Fortescue is an important step forward in our shared goal to decarbonise mining activities worldwide.
“The technology developed as part of this record-breaking deal will not only support our customers along their decarbonisation journeys but also help us honour our commitment to offer completely fossil fuel free hauling, loading and dozing solutions by the end of the decade.
“In fact, in the coming years, Liebherr and Fortescue Zero will be able to offer more customers within the industry a proven, large-scale zero-emission mining ecosystem.”
Fortescue Executive Chairman, Dr Andrew Forrest, said that partnerships with companies and people like Liebherr and Willi Liebherr are critical.
“This is an important next step in our 2030 Real Zero target – to eliminate emissions from our Australian iron ore operations by the end of the decade. The world needs Real Zero now – it simply cannot afford to wait.
“The green solutions we need are here today, and Fortescue Zero is supplying them and rolling them out across our massive mining operations.”
Dr Forrest said that Fortescue Zero developed the battery technology and jointly developed the automated haulage solution, leading the way to provide green innovative solutions to eliminate emissions from heavy industry.
“We invite all companies in the mining, heavy industry and haulage sectors to join us. The solutions are there, and the missing ingredient is leadership.
“The time of others persuading you that greenwashing is a better return to shareholders and your community is over. Fortescue invites you to join us. We can together be the trailblazers who forge the world’s move away from fossil fuels.”
Featured image: Maksim Safaniuk/shutterstock.com
