Diversified mining companies BHP and Rio Tinto have taken delivery of Australia’s first Cat 793 XE Early Learner battery-electric haul trucks at BHP’s Jimblebar mine, marking the start of on-site trials of Caterpillar’s zero-exhaust heavy haulage technology in the Pilbara.

The two trucks, supplied under an industry-first collaboration between BHP, Rio Tinto and Caterpillar, will undergo commissioning before formal trials begin.

The testing will examine whether battery-electric haulage can replace diesel in large-scale iron-ore operations and what infrastructure and operational changes would be required to support a shift to lower-emissions mining fleets.

“Powering up our first battery-electric haul trucks in the Pilbara is an important step forward on the mining industry’s road to decarbonisation," said BHP Western Australia Iron Ore asset president Tim Day.

“Replacing diesel is not just about changing energy sources, it is about reimagining how we operate and creating the technologies, infrastructure and supply chains to transform mining operations. These trials will help us understand how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together: the battery technologies, generation and charging infrastructure, power management, as well as the supply chains to potentially deliver this at scale.”

He added that the shift would require sustained research and collaboration. “This is going to take time to get right, which is why trials like this one with Rio Tinto and Caterpillar are so critical . . . We are excited about what we will learn about how best to deliver the breakthroughs required to accelerate this transition.”

Rio Tinto Iron Ore Pilbara Mines MD Andrew Wilson said decarbonising the company’s truck fleet across 18 mines remained a major challenge. “By exploring solutions like this to reduce emissions, we hope that, over time, we will be able to move away from diesel.

"No single company can achieve zero emissions haulage on its own. It takes the whole industry working together. That’s why we are working with BHP and Caterpillar to develop new solutions that will reduce emissions in mining and help us reach our net zero commitments.”

Following the joint trial period, BHP and Rio Tinto will separately decide on the next phase, including potential scaled trials and fleet integration. The collaboration forms part of both miners’ efforts to meet their operational net-zero emissions targets by 2050.