Rio Tinto will trial blending renewable diesel with traditional fuel at its Pilbara iron ore operations as an interim measure to reduce its carbon footprint.
Rio Tinto will trial blending renewable diesel with traditional fuel at its Pilbara iron ore operations as an interim measure to reduce its carbon footprint.
The Pilbara miner has ordered 10 million litres of diesel made from used cooking oil which is due to arrive at Parker Point in January.
Renewable diesel would be seen as a near-term decarbonisation measure while the company progresses its fleet electrification program.
“As part of Rio Tinto's ongoing work to explore better ways to decarbonise our operations, we will conduct a trial of renewable diesel to provide us with greater understanding of compatibility and performance through our Pilbara operations and infrastructure,” a Rio Tinto spokesperson said.
Ten million litres represents about 12 per cent of Rio Tinto’s monthly diesel use in the Pilbara.
The use of diesel fuel in terrestrial fleets and trains accounts for about 13 per cent of Rio Tinto’s global scope one and two emissions.
Estimates from fuel retailer Ampol and engine manufacturer Cummins suggest 100 per cent renewable diesel could offset up to 90 per cent of fuel emissions.
The United States’ Environmental Protection Agency and Rio Tinto estimate emissions reduction of up to 75 per cent.
Another important factor is that, while biodiesel generally requires blending to work, pure renewable diesel can be dropped in without vehicle modification.
Renewable diesel and biodiesel use similar feed products – used oils, tallow, and recycled grease – but differ in the production process.
Rio Tinto already uses renewable diesel at its Boron and Kennecott operations in the US.
The transition of the Boron borates mine in California to renewable diesel has saved 9,600 cars worth of carbon from being released into the atmosphere, according to Rio Tinto.
It was the first open pit mine in the world to make the switch in August last year.
Rio Tinto plans to cut its scope one and two emissions in half by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050.
Fleet electrification is the main aim to achieve this – in May Rio and BHP signed a deal to test battery-electric Komatsu and Caterpillar haul trucks in the Pilbara.
In January 2022 the Anglo-Australian miner ordered four battery-electric trains from Wabtec Corporation which were due to be trialed in the Pilbara this year.
In September Rio Tinto bought 3,000 hectares of farmland in Queensland to grow 750,000 Pongamia trees for carbon-neutral fuel feed.
