Decarbonizing mobile industrial equipment at mines - ME Feature Article

Mining operations rely on high-duty, mobile and semimobile equipment to move rock, process ore, maintain roads and sustain site services. Typical mining fleets combine loading and hauling assets with production, logistics and maintenance equipment, which are all expected to operate at high load factors, over long hours and in harsh environments. The mining industry is under pressure to decarbonize their operations and to transition to lower-emission technologies. While decarbonization options are well understood for stationary process equipment, challenges remain regarding how to decarbonize heavy-duty mobile emission sources. This article presents the methodology and findings of a structured assessment of low- and zero-emission pathways for mobile mining equipment. The approach is data driven and equipment centric, evaluating technology readiness, commercial and technical viability, and the financial implications of alternative powertrains including battery electric, hybrid electric, hydrogen fuel cell/combustion and low-carbon fuels such as renewable diesel and biodiesel. Supporting infrastructure requirements are also reviewed. Baseline attributes such as engine/motor power, duty cycles, energy intensity and typical purchase price are compiled into an equipment matrix, with alternatives matched by output power to ensure performance comparability. Capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operating expenditure (OPEX) are calculated conservatively from public sources, with OPEX combining energy/fuel costs and maintenance rates that reflect powertrain complexity.