ANGLO American has partnered with French multinational energy and energy services company Engie to develop the world’s largest hydrogen-powered mine truck.
The project is part of Anglo American’s FutureSmart Mining initiative, which applies innovative thinking and technological advances to address mining’s major sustainability challenges.
“We are extremely pleased to be partnering with Engie and we look forward to developing and implementing this step-change technology,” Anglo American technical director Tony O’Neill said.
“As part of our Smart Power Project, where we analysed our mine site power requirements and applied a unique decision process on how we look at renewable energy systems and their benefits, we came up with a mix that allows us to be carbon neutral and have a very different footprint.
“This is part of our plan to create a smart energy mix that moves us closer towards our carbon and energy targets for 2030 and, ultimately, our vision of operating a carbon-neutral mine.”
Engie will provide the hydrogen generation solutions while Anglo American will develop the truck, which will have a load capacity of 300 metric tonnes.
The modifications to the existing truck include replacing the diesel tank with hydrogen tanks, and replacing the engine with hydrogen fuel cells and a battery pack.
The hydrogen will be provided by the solar power generation capacity at the mining site.
‘First motion’ is expected in 2020, following which a testing validation program will take place at Anglo American’s Mogalakwena platinum group metals mine in South Africa, and, if successful, the trucks will be deployed to other Anglo American operations.
The agreement was signed by the two companies on board the Energy Observer during the London stop of its round-the-world voyage.
As the world’s first fully electric vessel powered exclusively by hydrogen and renewable energies, the Energy Observer is a fully functioning example of the full decarbonisation solution that Anglo American and Engie are working towards.
“We are delighted to join forces with Anglo American to design the first solution that aims to decarbonize heavy-duty mobility in the mining sector,” Engie chief executive of the hydrogen business unit Michele Azalbert said.
“This is part of Engie’s strategy to develop industrial-scale hydrogen-based solutions to help our energy-intensive customers in their journey to carbon neutrality.”
Once operational, the converted trucks are expected to be the same or better than the original diesel trucks, with the additional benefits of cleaner air, less noise and lower maintenance costs.
For more information see Anglo American’s FutureSmart Mining
