Viva Energy is at the forefront of supplying renewable diesel to Australian mining operations.
As the adoption of sustainable practices ramps up across the Australian mining sector, cutting emissions on sites could be a matter of asking one simple question: What fuels the industry?
The type of fuel mine operators use to power their haulage fleet and equipment can be a key indicator of the carbon footprint they’re creating.
According to a 2024 Climate Change Authority report, nearly 68 per cent of fuel-combustion emissions on mine sites are produced through the use of diesel as a fuel in machinery.
Given this high-carbon profile, operators are shifting gears from conventional diesel to an eco-friendlier and more sustainable alternative.
Enter renewable diesel.
Chemically similar to its petroleum-derived counterpart, renewable diesel offers a convenient switch for those wanting to close the gap on emissions.
In Australia, Viva Energy is bolstering the uptake of this sustainable substitute, which it describes as “a drop-in replacement for diesel”.
Providing a distinct roadmap to a lower carbon future, Viva Energy’s renewable diesel, also known as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), is emerging as a potential pick for an increasing number of mining operators.
“Alternative fuels such as renewable diesel are the next step in decarbonising heavy vehicle and machinery fleets, while other technologies such as electrification are likely to require equipment and infrastructure replacement and will take time to implement,” Viva Energy’s carbon solutions manager Robert Cavicchiolo told Mining.
According to Viva Energy, HVO is a renewable diesel made from waste sources like vegetable oils and animal fats via a process called HEFA (hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids).
It is manufactured through a hydrotreatment process, using hydrogen and catalysts at high temperatures and pressures.
One of the biggest advantages of Viva Energy’s renewable diesel is that it can seamlessly integrate into your existing machinery and storage tanks without the need for modifications.
Renewable diesel is also International Sustainability & Carbon Certified (ISCC) certified, ensuring that the sustainable materials are traceable and meet recognised chain-of-custody requirements.
“Viva Energy ensures the quality and consistency of our renewable diesel with our dedicated product quality team,” Cavicchiolo said. “This ensures it meets the recently introduced Australian Fuel Quality Standards (Paraffinic Diesel) Determination 2025.”
As a sustainable choice, renewable diesel can help mine operators drastically reduce their Scope 1 emissions based on a lifecycle assessment basis.
It also possesses low temperature properties, both when used in its pure form or after being blended with diesel. Having a high cetane number, renewable diesel may also promote cleaner and more efficient combustion.
Not only a strong operational performer, but renewable diesel has the potential to have a longer storage life than diesel when correct fuel monitoring housekeeping is employed at site.
“Alternative fuels such as renewable diesel are important tools in the energy transition,” Cavicchiolo said.
“They help companies reduce emissions without any modification to existing infrastructure or equipment.”
Supplying renewable diesel is not Viva Energy’s only avenue of innovation, with the company continually enhancing its broader product portfolio, including its hydrocarbon solutions.
Viva Energy offers comprehensive fuel and lubrication management options, along with tank and equipment solutions that are vital to safely store, dispense, and monitor renewable diesel.
“Our expertise ensures your business receives the best advice, service and equipment for storing, dispensing and maintaining all of your hydrocarbon needs,” Viva Energy hydrocarbon solutions manager Matt Gill told Mining.
Providing clients with a “one-stop solution” to maximise the life of their hydrocarbons, Viva Energy’s products cover fuel equipment such as tanks, spill kits, hoses, nozzles, pumps and fuel management systems, as well as storage and condition monitoring options.
These hydrocarbon offerings have significant tangible outcomes for mine operators.
One of Viva Energy’s coal mining customers was experiencing extended haul truck downtime due to travel for diesel refuelling and lubricant top ups.
To solve that problem, Viva Energy designed and built a custom in-pit splash-and-dash facility that had the flexibility to move and follow the coal seam whilst staying as close to the circuit as possible.
This solution included a fuel management system and automatic tank gauging to monitor vehicle consumption and tank levels.
After the implementation of the splash-and-dash facility, the client enjoyed numerous benefits, such as reducing travel time by 2044 hours per year, a 2.19 per cent reduction in overall diesel consumption, and an increase in annual coal production.
According to Gill, these benefits are within reach of all mine operators who decide to partner with Viva Energy.
“With our customer, we were able to effectively build a custom facility that had flexibility and could follow the coal seam whilst staying as close to the circuit as possible,” Gill said. “This therefore led to an increase in annual production.”
With alternative fuels like renewable diesel and custom storage solutions, Viva Energy is continuing to steer the industry – for the benefit of businesses and the environment alike.
This article appeared in the Winter edition of Mining Magazine.
