Fortescue Mining Company based in Australia continues to attract media attention through its extensive green transition initiative. The Chinese company, Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group clinched a record-breaking $400 million deal from Fortescue to deliver 100 electric mining vehicles. This transaction stands as Xuzhou’s largest achievement in equipment export history.
Fortescue Metals Group is all set to completely decarbonize its Pilbara iron ore operations by 2030. The organization plans to remove every type of greenhouse gas emission straight from their operations and through their supply chain. Over the next five years the company will swap old diesel mining equipment with cutting-edge electric alternatives, including wheel loaders, dozers, and semi-trucks.
This advancement marks a major progress for the mining industry which generates yearly revenues of more than $845 billion. Since the demand for electric vehicles in recent years has triggers a parallel surge in the requirements for nickel, lithium and phosporates, so the greening of this sector is a must.
Traditional mining activities create environmental issues since they pollute both land and air, while using excessive amount of water. Electric mining machines on the other hand generate substantially lower emissions while operating when compared to their traditional diesel-powered alternatives thus providing a cleaner and more sustainable solution.
Fortescue isn’t alone in this green revolution. The company has formed partnerships with Komatsu and Liebherr to create autonomous electric haul trucks along with next-generation electric fleet management solutions.
Fortescue’s ambitious decision serves as a prime example which the entire mining sector needs to embrace because ‘Real Net Zero’ should be the ultimate aim of all mining companies.
Reference- Electrek, Futurism, Interesting Engineering, The Verge, Fortescue website & PR, Inside EVs