Commercial, Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions  -  November 11, 2021

Newmont and Caterpillar to Achieve Zero Emissions Mining

Newmont Corporation, a gold mining company, announced a strategic alliance with Caterpillar Inc., a producer of mining equipment and technologies, to create an automated, zero carbon emitting, end-to-end mining system. 

The companies will collaborate to create a safer, more productive mine and support Newmont in reaching their 2030 GHG emissions reduction targets of over 30%, with an ultimate goal of being net zero carbon by 2050.

“A year ago, Newmont announced industry-leading emission reduction targets because we understand the human contribution to climate change,” said Tom Palmer, president and CEO of Newmont Corporation in a statement. “We followed with a commitment to invest $500 million over five years to identify pathways forward as we firmly believe that we must make bold, lasting commitments to achieve the necessary change for a bright, healthy future.”

Building pathways to decarbonization is essential for the future of mining since Newmont’s surface and underground mining fleets are responsible for approximately 40% of the company’s carbon emissions. Building a new model for surface and underground mining is critical to delivering Newmont’s emissions reduction targets.

Under the agreement, Newmont plans to provide a preliminary investment of $100 million as the companies set 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 of up to 16 vehicles at CC&V planned through 2023, with a transition to haulage fleet electrification and implementation of Caterpillar’s advanced electrification and infrastructure system with delivery of a test fleet in 2026. Actions include validating first-of-a-kind battery electric haulage technology in the years prior to full production of autonomous electric haulage equipment and
• Caterpillar will develop its first battery electric zero-emissions underground truck to be deployed at Tanami by 2026. The deployment includes a fleet of up to 10 battery electric underground haul trucks, supported by Caterpillar’s advanced electrification and infrastructure system. This includes first-of-a-kind battery electric haulage technology for underground mining in 2024, the introduction of battery autonomous technology in 2025, with full deployment in 2026.

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