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    Battery Electric in the Gold Mine: Newmont, Caterpillar Testing New EV Truck at Colorado Site

    Oct. 31, 2024
    The newly deployed Early Learner Cat 193 XE underground mining truck and other vehicles will offer new ways to reduce the greenhouse gas pollution at mines, companies say.
    Screenshot credit to Newmont and Caterpillar
    6723acc4e4830a182654e758 Caterpillar Electric

    The alliance between power equipment firm Caterpillar and mining operator Newmont Corp. shifted into a new gear this week as the latter announced its first large battery-electric truck at the Cripple Creek and Victor mine in Colorado.

    Diesel-fueled vehicles produce most surface and underground mining emissions for Newmont and similar companies. The newly deployed Early Learner Cat 193 XE underground mining truck and other vehicles will offer new ways to reduce the greenhouse gas pollution at mines, companies say.

    "The arrival of the Early Learner Cat 793 XE underscores our ongoing commitment to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across our business,” said Natascha Viljoen, Chief Operating Officer at Newmont, in a statement. "As we look toward the future, our focus remains on creating a safer and more productive mining environment and this battery-electric large mining truck is one more step we are taking to further advance our safety and sustainability commitments.”

    Newmont’s Cripple Creek and Victor (CC&V) site is a gold mining operation in Teller County southwest of Pike’s Peak. The company has previously announced plans to sell the mining operation in the near future.

    In the meantime, Newmont and Caterpillar will perform testing and validation on using the Early Learned Cat 193 XE battery-electric truck. Much of the new vehicle was assembled on site. See a video of the Cat 193 XE assembly.

    “As the mining industry navigates the energy transition, we know a diverse set of solutions will be required for our customers to achieve their operational and sustainability objectives,” said Denise Johnson, Group President of Resource Industries, Caterpillar. “We are excited about our collaboration with Newmont and working with them to truly understand the implementation and impact of the Early Learner 793 XE at CC&V.”

    Mining operations worldwide are seeking new ways to decarbonize operations. In Australia, Rio Tinto is exploring pongamia seed oil as a biofuel, while Escondida-BHP is ramping up plans for battery electrification infrastructure at mines.

    Rio Tinto and BHP have announced a collaboration on testing Caterpillar electric haul trucks.