<
https://thedriven.io/2025/04/16/fortescue-signs-350m-deal-to-switch-diesel-drill-rigs-for-electric-in-pursuit-of-real-zero/>
"Andrew Forrest’s iron ore giant Fortescue Metals continues to put its money
where its mouth is on decarbonisation, this week signing a $A350 million deal
to buy more than 50 autonomous electric drill rigs to replace existing
diesel-powered kit.
The deal, with the Australian arm of Swedish outfit Epiroc, is part of
Fortescue’s plan to swap out around 800 pieces of heavy mining equipment with
zero emissions alternatives by 2030, and deploy 2-3GW of renewable energy and
battery storage across the Pilbara.
Fortescue’s goal of reaching “real zero” by 2030 means that it will not burn
any diesel or gas for transport or electricity by the end of the decade. It is
a world-leading target, and one that Forrest hopes others will follow, if not
in the same time frame.
Late last year, the miner announced a deal to spend more than $A600 million on
zero emissions mining equipment from Chinese heavy machinery manufacturer XCMG,
and a multi-billion dollar deal for electric trucks and bulldozers.
And in December last year, Fortescue was awarded $A10 million in federal
funding to develop 6 megawatt (MW) fast charger to support the hundreds of
massive 240 tonne haul trucks it has agreed to buy in a landmark $4 billion
deal.
This week’s deal follows the delivery of Australia’s first Epiroc Pit Viper 271
E electric drill to Fortescue’s Solomon open cut iron ore mine in Western
Australia earlier this month."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
