Fortescue and Liebherr have successfully deployed the country’s first newly built operational electric excavator.
The Liebherr R 9400 E was commissioned in December 2023 at Fortescue’s Cloudbreak site in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
Since then, a second electric excavator has been added to Fortescue’s Solomon operations, marking significant progress in the companies’ shared commitment to decarbonisation and innovation.
The integration of these electric excavators into Fortescue’s operations has been met with enthusiasm and positive results.
Mark Kouwenhoven, general manager of Fortescue’s Solomon mine, reported that the R 9400 E has matched the power and productivity of its diesel counterparts while eliminating fuel-related emissions, reducing operational costs, and minimising environmental impact.
Christopher Shade, decarbonisation coordinator at Solomon mine, expressed excitement about the machines’ performance: “The task was to have them be equal to the diesel machines, and they are.
“It is fantastic, and we cannot wait to have more of these electric excavators added to our growing fleet.”
The electric excavator at Cloudbreak has already achieved a significant milestone, successfully moving one million tonnes in just three months of operation.
Fortescue reports that the machine is now running at full capacity and sometimes outperforming its diesel equivalent.
Mark Hutchinson, head of Fortescue Energy, highlighted the substantial environmental benefits of the electric excavator fleet: “Once we decarbonise the entire excavator fleet, around 95 million litres of diesel will be eliminated every year.”
This aligns with Fortescue’s ambitious goal to reach “real zero” in its mining operations by 2030, which is expected to save more than 700 million litres of diesel annually.
At the recent MINExpo tradeshow in Las Vegas, Fortescue and Liebherr announced a significant deal for the development and supply of zero-emission equipment.
The agreement includes the provision of 475 zero-emission Liebherr machines to Fortescue, with 55 of these being R 9400 E excavators.
Paul Murphy, executive general manager of Future Industries Project for Liebherr-Australia, emphasised the transformative nature of this partnership: “Our work with Fortescue isn’t just about meeting today’s decarbonisation goals; it’s about redefining mining’s future.
“The project exemplifies our commitment to decarbonisation, enabling an industry-wide shift toward cleaner, more efficient operations.”
As Fortescue and Liebherr continue to lead the charge in sustainable mining practices, the success of these electric excavators serves as a promising indicator of the industry’s potential for environmentally responsible innovation.
