Global mining services major Thiess has released its 2022 Sustainability Report, which outlines a strengthened commitment to climate change action by announcing interim targets in support of the Group’s goal of net zero Scope 1, 2 and Scope 3 emissions from operated fleet by 2050.
These include net zero Thiess Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025; 85% of Thiess operated light vehicles to be hybrid or battery electric by 2030 and a 25% reduction of Scope 3 emissions from diesel combustion in the Thiess operated fleet by 2035.
These decarbonisation efforts are complemented by the Group’s positive progress in its sustainability agenda, including its target of rebalancing thermal coal revenue to less than 25% by 2027. Through its strategic approach to diversification, Thiess says it is on track to achieve this as early as 2025.
Added to this there were some interesting insights in the report on the role technology is playing in helping Thiess start to meet some of these targets. Executive Chair and CEO Michael Wright stated: “To achieve these, we will continue our partnership-centred, technology focused approach, as demonstrated through joint projects with leading original equipment manufacturers and think tanks such as Mining3. We are also developing new services for the low carbon economy, such as Thiess Rehabilitation, which combines environmental expertise with decades of mining experience to deliver world-leading mine rehabilitation services.” He adds: “Our work to decarbonise our operations has resulted in business improvements, ranging from emissions data platform improvements, to energy efficiency measures and alternative fuel initiatives, to further investment in autonomous operations.”
Looking at specific examples, in battery electric vehicles, (BEVs), in 2022, Thiess investigated the use of battery electric buses for use between their camps and sites to support shift changeovers. These types of commutes, with multiple runs with time in between not running, are a suitable application for BEVs. Working with an electric vehicle lease company, Thiess is investigating various specifications to suit different applications. Upon successful completion of a pilot planned for 2023, Thiess will begin a program to replace all accommodation-site transport with a BEV option.
Electric options are also emerging in the commercial light vehicle market and Thiess says it is currently undertaking assessments to select suitable vehicles to replace with BEVs. Initial assessment shows tool-of- trade vehicles used in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales in Australia may be most suitable due to shorter travel distances. They will use feedback from pilot participants to assess applicability for other sites and applications.
With larger mining haul trucks, Thiess is working with Mitsui to electrify mining equipment such as battery drive haulage trucks. Other initiatives include a pre-feasibility study on the retrofit electrification of existing diesel haul trucks; and assessing the suitability of a battery powered water cart. Recently acquired MACA is also collaborating with Mitsui, AVL and other battery and engineering companies, to investigate electrification of dump trucks, with a current focus on battery design and packaging. Studies are also underway on cycle simulations to ensure efficiency.
Thiess has now introduced five new electric-wheel drive Liebherr T 264 trucks in Chile and deployed a further six at its United States operations. The trucks feature energy agnostic drivetrains, allowing future retrofit or upgrade modules as new, lower emissions power sources like electric batteries and hydrogen become available. They are also equipped with Liebherr’s trolley assist system, which connects the electric-drive system to an electrical network, offering increased productivity with reduced fuel consumption and fleet emissions.
It is also studying the use of renewable diesel, a like-for-like replacement for petroleum diesel, to provide emissions reductions prior to large-scale introduction of new technology. Thiess says it is partnering with suppliers to provide full certification of ethical feedstock, to reduce potential concerns around the use of palm oil. In 2023, Thiess is working with its suppliers and OEMs to seek to confirm the validity of the product specification with the aim of reducing emissions at a future pilot site.
Work also continues with Mine Energy Solutions (MES) to begin work to convert six trucks to a dual-fuel energy supply of gas and diesel by 2023. Thiess also continued trialling the introduction of hydrogen trickle-feed technology to reduce diesel usage at a project in South Australia. Hydrogen trickle-feed is a transitional technology where small amounts of hydrogen generated on board mining fleet is captured and ‘trickle fed’ into the engine to improve combustion and reduce diesel usage and associated emissions. In 2022, Thiess started a trial of this technology at their Prominent Hill operation with units fitted to 40% of the haul fleet.
It adds: “Subject to trial outcomes, this technology may provide a flexible solution that Thiess will investigate for retrofitting to a range of equipment types.” This year it is introducing the technology to autonomous drills at one of its New South Wales sites in Australia, and to trucks at its operations in North and South America.
Thiess T 264 electric drive truck in Chile
Autonomy can also bring reduced fuel consumption. Thiess, WesTrac and Caterpillar have partnered to deliver a series of autonomous drilling milestones at a New South Wales project. These included piloting the use of the drills in a production environment using an off-site remote operating centre, and simultaneous operation of three autonomous drilling rigs from a single remote operating station. Improved efficiency due to autonomy has seen a 7.7% reduction in fuel consumed per metre of drilling.
In 2023, Thiess says it will also begin mining operations at the new Olive Downs Complex operation in Queensland, which will incorporate autonomous equipment. Owner Pembroke Resources says commencement of mining operations at the world-class coking coal project is expected to start in June 2023, with first coal shipments by late 2023/early 2024. The mine will produce 20 Mt/y ROM coal over a 79 year mine life.
In November 2022 at a Bowen Basin Mining Club event, Pembroke Resources General Manager, Blair Richardson revealed some details about the fleet – namely that Thiess will deploy both Caterpillar 793 and 794 haul trucks working with 800 t excavators. The Olive Downs Complex he said will be the first greenfield east coast site to roll out full automation with three automated fleets and two manned fleets. This will be one of the most significant greenfield Caterpillar Command for hauling projects in recent years.
OEM-agnostic autonomy is also a key part of Thiess’s strategy. SafeAI, a leader in autonomous heavy equipment, and MACA last year announced a partnership to retrofit a mixed fleet of 100 mining trucks across multiple locations. MACA is getting the first 100 SafeAI Autonomy Solutions in Australia; with Position Partners, now majority held by Mitsui, providing operational and site support to MACA.