Mining giant Fortescue has unveiled a groundbreaking six-megawatt charger capable of powering a 1,900-kilowatt battery on its massive hauler truck in just 30 minutes.t
This innovation, reported by Electrek, marks a significant milestone in the company’s push toward carbon-neutral operations.
The charger is part of a $4 billion partnership with Liebherr, which will see 475 fully electric mining vehicles delivered to Fortescue.
This deal is the largest in Liebherr’s 75-year history, underscoring both companies’ commitment to revolutionizing mining through green technology.
“We are proud to have facilitated the single largest equipment deal in Liebherr’s history,” said Dr. Jörg Lukowski, Liebherr’s Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “This partnership with Fortescue represents a critical step in decarbonizing mining activities globally.”
The collaboration aligns with Fortescue’s ambitious plan to achieve carbon neutrality in its Australian iron ore mining operations.
In addition to the charger, the two companies have recently rolled out a driverless electric haul truck, which is now operational at Fortescue’s Australian mining sites.
Globally, other mining leaders are also making strides toward sustainability. Caterpillar has begun deploying fully electric haulers in Brazil’s nickel, copper, and manganese mines, while Komatsu has introduced its own line of electric mining and construction equipment.
“The technology developed as part of this record-breaking deal will not only support our customers on their decarbonization journeys but also help us fulfill our commitment to provide fully fossil fuel-free hauling, loading, and dozing solutions by the end of the decade,” added Lukowski.
The metals and mining sector contributes 4-7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to GlobalData, exacerbating climate issues such as extreme weather and food insecurity.
Fortescue and Liebherr’s collaboration, alongside similar efforts in the industry, highlights a growing commitment to reducing this impact through innovative technologies.
These developments signal that sustainable mining practices are no longer a distant goal but a rapidly advancing reality, setting a new standard for the sector’s role in combating climate change.
