Electrified mining in Australia

Fortescue and Liebherr recently teamed up to deploy Australia's first electric excavator.

At Fortescue's Solomon mine in the Pilbara, a fleet of around 180 pieces of equipment moves approximately 200 million tonnes of iron ore each year. To support its goal of fully decarbonising its operations by 2030, the company is transitioning its fleet to electric and battery-electric equipment. Working in partnership with Liebherr, Fortescue has deployed the first R 9400 E electric excavator operating in the Pilbara. Early results indicate the machine is matching the performance of its diesel counterparts, providing a practical pathway for reducing emissions from mining operations. The site team is also seeing operational benefits from electrification. While diesel excavators typically require refuelling every 24 hours, the electric excavator only needs to be stopped every 48 hours for routine performance and health checks. Operators have also reported fewer equipment failures, with the simpler design and lower number of moving parts helping to improve reliability and extend asset life. One of the most significant improvements has been in breakout force, with the electric excavator less prone to bogging down during operation than comparable diesel machines. Reduced strain on components is helping to extend their lifespan, while also delivering safety benefits by decreasing the frequency with which heavy parts need to be replaced. Case study credit: Liebherr