Tag Archives: Christian Porter

Australian government backs Batt Mobile Equipment BEV building plan

Environmental, Mining equipment, Mining finance, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , ,

Batt Mobile Equipment Pty Ltd, based in Tomago, New South Wales, has been given a boost in its pursuit to electrify the mining sector, having been awarded a A$4.55 million ($3.35 million) grant to build heavy-duty battery-electric vehicles for underground-hard rock mines as part of the Australian government’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI).

It has become one of eight companies to have a project funded in the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Processing sector, as part of the first round of the A$1.3 billion MMI.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Christian Porter, said: “Australia’s resource sector is world-class. Through our A$1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative, we are helping to unlock the enormous potential by providing targeted support for projects that will deliver big rewards for our local economy, generate more export earnings and create new jobs.”

Batt Mobile Equipment will use the $4.55 million to build “heavy battery-electric vehicles for underground hard-rock mines, delivering Australia’s first commercially and operationally viable alternative to a diesel fleet”, the government said in its press release. “This would catalyse the electrification of global hard-rock mines, and deliver emission reduction, safety and productivity outcomes.”

In partnership with 3ME Technology and Aeris Resources – with support from METS Ignited – Batt Mobile Equipment delivered the TRITEV 20 t Integrated Tool-Carrier (IT, pictured), being trialled at Aeris’ Tritton mine in the state.

Batt Mobile Equipment and 3ME also recently signed a deal that will see 150 of 3ME’s Electric Vehicle Engine packages for the TRITEV delivered to Batt Mobile Equipment over the next five years.

Australian government backs mining and metal sector decarbonising initiative

Environmental, Mining finance, Mining industry recognition, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A new Cooperative Research Centre focused on integrating green energy sources such as hydrogen, ammonia and solar into high-heat and high-emission manufacturing processes for products like steel, aluminium and cement has won Australia government backing.

The Heavy Industry Low-carbon Transition Cooperative Research Centre (HILT CRC), to be led by the University of Adelaide, has been provided with A$39 million ($29 million) of funding through the CRC Grants program. It is also backed by an additional A$175.7 million in funding and in-kind support from research and industry partners such as Alcoa, Rio Tinto Aluminium, South32, Roy Hill, Fortescue Metals Group, the Australian National University and the CSIRO.

South Australia Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Christian Porter, said the CRC would help to secure the future of heavy industries right across the country by helping them to lower costs and establish a reputation as exporters of high-quality, low-carbon, value-added products.

“In order to remain internationally competitive, it is crucial that our heavy industries begin the transition to lower cost and cleaner energy technology to secure the long-term future of their operations,” Minister Porter said. “By connecting those industries with our best and brightest minds from within our major research institutions – coupled with the significant funding that’s now available to fast-track this work – we expect real-world solutions can be delivered within the 10-year life of the CRC.”

Dr David Cochrane, who is Technology Lead at core CRC partner South32 and also an industry leader of the HILT CRC, said: “The HILT CRC will play an important role in transitioning to a low-carbon future by creating a framework for industry to collaborate, sharing knowledge and experience while lowering the risk of trialling technology.

“For South32, we have recently set medium-term targets to halve our operational emissions by 2035 as we transition to net zero by 2050 and initiatives like the HILT CRC are part of our plan to achieve these targets.”

Susan Jeanes, who is Chair-elect of the HILT CRC, said: “Decarbonising Australia’s heavy industry will position it to be competitive in the rapidly developing, global low carbon markets for green iron and aluminium products that have higher value than our current exports. These new markets are being driven by our trading partners in countries like China, Japan and Europe, which are introducing a range of financial measures to meet their carbon targets, such as EU’s Carbon Border Tax.

“Our mineral resources geographically co-exist around the continent with our first-class renewable energy resources making decarbonising more competitive here than in other parts of the world.”