A major resources producer fully accelerated its transition away from fossil fuels.
Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) recently ramped up its new electric excavator fleet as much as possible.
“Over the past three months the excavator had been running at partial capacity while the site team familiarised themselves with the new piece of equipment,” the company said in a public statement.
“Now operating at full-speed its performance continues to steadily improve with the excavator at times performing better than its diesel equivalent … [and] the intention is that all electrified mining equipment will eventually be 100 per cent powered by renewable electricity.”
The fleet is partially powered by solar energy, a 6.6 kilovolt substation and more than 2km of high voltage trailing cable at the Chichester Hub.
FMG is so impressed with its performance it plans to commission at least two more electric excavators by the end of April 2024.
“Once we decarbonise our entire fleet around 95 million litres of diesel will be removed from our operations every year, or more than a quarter of a million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent,” CEO Dino Otranto said.
“We have been able to achieve this while maintaining our high safety standards.”
The remarks came after a 240-tonne battery electric haul truck prototype called Roadrunner successfully transported 231 tonnes of product during laps around a track and ramp tests with hill starts.
“It is milestones such as these that are bridging the gap between zero emissions power systems and diesel fleets, and proving to the world that decarbonisation is possible,” Otranto said.
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