By Rod Walton, EnergyTech Senior Editor
On-site power manufacturer Caterpillar and gold mining firm Newmont Corp. has signed a deal to help the latter reduce emissions at mining operations across the globe.
One of the first phases in the Caterpillar-Newmont alliance is an initial investment of $100 million for delivery of 26 battery-electric autonomous vehicles to be used in both underground and open pit operations beginning later this decade.
Newmont plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its mining operations more than 30 percent by 2030 and achieving net-zero carbon by 2050. Through the collaboration, Newmont and Caterpillar plan to validate equipment, infrastructure, technologies and processes to transform both surface and underground mining, focusing on safety, automation, decarbonization, optimization, data and asset management across Newmont’s global operations.
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“Caterpillar is committed to providing transformational advancements in safety, sustainability and technology,” said Jim Umpleby, Chairman and CEO of Caterpillar Inc. “We share Newmont’s dedication to a reduced-carbon future, and we’re honored to work together on this industry leading effort.”
The two companies are setting initial automation and electrification goals for surface and underground mining infrastructures and haulage fleets at Newmont’s Cripple Creek and Victor (CC&V) mine in Colorado, U.S.A. and Tanami mine in Northern Territory, Australia. The goals include introduction of an automated haulage fleet eventually transitioning to fleet electrification.
Caterpillar will develop its first battery-electric underground truck to be deployed at the Tanami mine by 2026.
The Tanami mine was commissioned in the 1980s and has produced more than 10 million ounces of gold since 1986, according to reports. The Cripple Creek and Victor mine dates back to the 1970s and produces more than 322,000 ounces annually, according to reports.
(Rod Walton, senior editor for EnergyTech, is a 14-year veteran of covering the energy industry both as a newspaper and trade journalist. He can reached at [email protected]).
