BHP, Rio Tinto team with Caterpillar for Pilbara electric truck trial

Australian mining giants BHP and Rio Tinto, in partnership with equipment manufacturer Caterpillar, have launched a trial of two battery-electric haul trucks at BHP's Jimblebar iron ore mine in Western Australia's Pilbara, marking the industry's first three-way collaboration on zero-emission haulage.

The Pilbara, which supplies the bulk of Australia's iron ore exports, generates billions of dollars in revenue while also accounting for a significant share of the sector's diesel-related emissions, Mysteel Global notes. The two Cat® 793 XE Early Learner trucks arrived at Jimblebar late last year, following three months of