Vale and Caterpillar have signed an agreement to test large battery electric trucks and energy transfer systems, as well as conduct studies on ethanol-powered trucks – initiatives aimed at the decarbonization of Vale’s mine operations.
The studies, which will be conducted at Vale’s mines in Brazil, will help the miner achieve its goals to reduce scope 1 and 2 (direct and indirect) carbon emissions by 33% by 2030 and bring net emissions to zero by 2050.
“We are developing a portfolio of options to decarbonize Vale’s operations, including electrification and the use of alternative fuels in the mines. The most viable solutions will be adopted,” said Ludmila Nascimento, Vale Energy and Decarbonization director.
“We believe that ethanol has great potential to contribute to the 2030 target because it is a fuel that has already been adopted on a large scale in Brazil, with an established supply network, and which requires an active partnership with manufacturers. We stand together to support them in this goal.”
Caterpillar is developing a battery powered truck with a capacity of 240 tons that will be tested at Vale’s Minas Gerais operations. The OEM is also developing energy transfer solutions for trucks, which will be tested at the miner’s Pará operations over the next few years.
The two companies also said they will begin a joint study on a dual fuel solution for haul trucks operating on ethanol and diesel fuel.
Source: Vale