A giant leap towards sustainable mining
A historic milestone for the mining industry: at MINExpo 2024 in Las Vegas (NV/USA), Liebherr and global technology, energy and metals group, Fortescue, sealed a deal for developing and delivering a fleet of zero emission machines that will also be largely autonomous, signifying the dawn of a new era of mining.
It was a truly remarkable moment. Last September, during the world’s largest exhibition for the mining industry – MINExpo – Liebherr and Fortescue announced a significant expansion of the partnership between the two companies. Together, they are committed to having a comprehensive and large scale zero emission mining ecosystem operational by 2030.
With a contract that includes the supply of 475 Liebherr machines, and is worth an enormous €2.5 billion, this deal not only marks the largest single order in Liebherr’s over 75-year history, but also sends a strong signal for the future of the industry. The two companies are committed to producing mining equipment no longer reliant on fossil fuels that also provides the performance, efficiency and reliability expected of heavy-duty machinery. The innovations developed as part of this contract will support both companies as they work towards their respective 2030 decarbonisation targets.
‘At MINExpo, we wrote a new page of Liebherr history and are proud to be able to make an important contribution to the decarbonisation and autonomisation of heavy-duty machines,’ explains Dr Jörg Lukowski, executive vice president, sales and marketing, at Liebherr-Mining Equipment SAS.
At a glance: the Liebherr−Fortescue partnership
The extended partnership between Liebherr and Fortescue is setting new standards in the mining industry.
475 machines – a large scale zero emission mining operation
Liebherr and Fortescue will deliver what is expected to be one of the first and largest full-scale operational zero emission and autonomous mining fleets in the world by 2030. The fleet is comprised of 475 machines, including mining trucks, excavators and dozers.
360 autonomous, battery-powered T 264 Battery Electric mining trucks
Forming a key element of the order are the 360 autonomous, battery-electric mining trucks that combine maximum performance with sustainability. These vehicles are designed to autonomously transport 240 tonnes of material and are therefore setting new technological standards.
Up to 7,000 operating hours per year
The machines are designed for continuous operation under extreme conditions. That equates to around 80 per cent of the 8,760 hours there are in a year on average. Such endurance is essential to meet the challenging demands of the mining sector.
A contract value of €2.5 billion
Worth €2.5 billion, this deal is the single largest in Liebherr’s over 75-year history.
55 grid-connected R 9400 E electric excavators
The machine fleet includes 55 grid-connected R 9400 E mining excavators. These machines can be connected to a constant energy source, either directly to the power grid or to a large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS). This ensures constant and reliable performance – even in the toughest working conditions.
Blazing a trail for the mining industry
The partnership between Liebherr and Fortescue is driving two key trends in the mining industry: decarbonisation and autonomy.
‘The technology we’re developing with Fortescue will put us well on our way to becoming one of the first providers in the mining market to combine a zero emission drive and a fully autonomous transport solution in one mining truck. This will support our customers on their path to decarbonisation,’ says Dr Lukowski.
The planned fleet of machines for Fortescue, consisting of 360 batterypowered mining trucks, 55 electric excavators and 60 dozers, will operate entirely without fossil fuels. One highlight of the collaboration is the zero emission and autonomous T 264 Battery Electric mining truck, which is equipped with a battery power system developed by Fortescue Zero, Fortescue’s technology arm. This technology has been specially designed to handle the extreme demands of mining: long operating times and moving heavy loads in challenging environments.
Fully autonomous operation
Liebherr and Fortescue are also developing a comprehensive Autonomous Haulage Solution that will enable machines to be operated completely autonomously. The Autonomous Haulage Solution also includes an Energy Management System that coordinates the charging assignments for the battery-electric trucks.
‘This combination of zero emission drive technology and autonomy is unique on the market and reflects Liebherr and Fortescue’s leading role when it comes to technological progress,’ explains Dr Lukowski. These machines will not only offer a reduction in carbon emissions, but also considerable efficiency gains. Autonomous machines can minimise downtimes and optimise the use of resources, while zero-emission drives make it easier to meet global environmental targets.
About Fortescue
Fortescue was established in Western Australia in 2003 and has since become a global technology, energy and metals company that is working to accelerate commercial decarbonisation through heavy industry, rapidly, profitably and globally.
Fortescue’s metals business comprises of iron ore operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia as well as a pipeline of exploration projects globally. The company is one of the world’s largest iron ore producers. On top of this, Fortescue also works in the field of energy, building a global portfolio of renewable green hydrogen and green ammonia projects and developing green technology solutions.
Heading for a new era
As an industry that has long relied on fossil fuels, this partnership paves the way for a new era of more sustainable and efficient mining.
‘We are committed to meeting the technological needs of our customers while actively contributing to the reduction of global carbon emissions,’ says Dr Lukowski in summary. ‘With this partnership with Fortescue, Liebherr is showing that innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand – and that the future of mining has already begun.’
