Mining giant BHP is sticking to its multibillion-dollar decarbonisation plans despite Opposition Leader Peter Dutton signalling he would scrap Australia’s 2030 climate target and push to replace fossil fuels with nuclear power.
The globe’s biggest resource company is reducing emissions by buying more renewable energy to power its operations, slowly electrifying its diesel-guzzling mining vehicle fleet, and finding ways to cut fugitive methane emissions from its coal mines. Heal said the miner’s rapid adoption of renewable energy meant most of its direct emissions now came from the fossil fuels it burns in the house-size trucks and other mining equipment used to haul ore across its global operations.“We currently have the first Caterpillar battery electric haul truck en route to our Jimblebar mine, which we are incredibly excited about,” Heal said.