BHP is the first customer to announce plans to trial Caterpillar Inc.’s Cat® Dynamic Energy Transfer (DET) system on battery electric and diesel electric mining trucks at BHP sites.

Caterpillar announced the launch of the Cat DET solution last week ahead of displaying a Cat 798 AC with a DET attachment at MINExpo 2024, this week. The technology can transfer energy to both diesel-electric and battery-electric large mining trucks while they are working around a mine site. It can also charge an electric haul truck’s batteries while the machine is on the move, and the system’s infrastructure is flexible, which allows it to be easily relocated when compared with current commercialised offerings, including large, fixed overhead trolleys.

The planned trials are the result of over two years of close collaboration between BHP and Caterpillar to find sustainable and viable energy transfer solutions. The trials include validating the solution in BHP Iron ore and Copper businesses, including CAT 793 fleet at Jimblebar and CAT 798 fleet at Escondida. BHP also intends to trial Cat DET as an integrated system with Cat autonomous solutions.

BHP announced in 2021 a collaboration with Caterpillar to deploy zero-exhaust emissions mining trucks at BHP sites to reduce operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, enabling more hands-on learning opportunities to ensure successful deployment at BHP sites. The collaboration has helped shape the processes, technology and infrastructure that will be required to support diesel-electric and battery-electric mining trucks and the mine sites of the future, the company says.

BHP’s Chief Commercial Officer, Ragnar Udd (right), said: “We are pleased to be able to trial the DET technology that Caterpillar has developed, and it is a welcome addition in our plans to enable zero-emissions mining truck deployment at BHP. Innovation and technology will play a crucial role as we work towards BHP’s goal of net zero operational emissions by 2050, and we are determined to keep building partnerships like this to achieve this objective.

“This collaboration is testament of our commitment to find solutions that are sustainable and viable – for us and the broader industry.”

Denise Johnson (left), Caterpillar Group President, said: “BHP has been part of our Early Learner program from the beginning, providing valuable feedback. We look forward to continuing that collaboration as we work together to trial the Cat DET system on both diesel-electric and battery-electric trucks at BHP’s sites. This is an important next step to validate the crucial energy management solutions needed to support not only BHP and Caterpillar, but also the broader mining industry.”