Hydrogen Truck in Mining, Here's the Specs
New renewable energy hydrogen has begun to be used as vehicle fuel. The German hydrogen train is one such example. Now hydrogen energy is also being implemented in the mining sector, specifically in the operation of hydrogen trucks.
Why do we need hydrogen trucks in implementing environmentally friendly energy? Because according to First Mode data, the mining industry accounts for around 7% of global carbon emissions with 50% coming from the use of diesel haul trucks at mine sites.
Therefore, the world mining sector began to innovate by presenting environmentally friendly trucks. One of them appears the first environmentally friendly hydrogen truck in the world, namely the haul truck. This truck is considered as a future mining solution that minimizes carbon emissions. With this truck, it is believed that the mining industry will be free of carbon emissions by 2040.
This hydrogen-powered haul truck was first launched by mining giant Anglo American at a platinum mine in South Africa in May 2022.
This hydrogen mining truck is also the largest truck in the world equipped with an electric motor combined with 8 very large hydrogen fuel cells combined with a 1.2 mWh lithium-ion battery made by First Mode. The combination is claimed to be capable of producing power output of up to 2,682 hp and capable of propelling a truck weighing 200 tons with a vehicle height equivalent to a 3-story building. When the battery is fully charged, the Anglo American mining truck is claimed to be able to carry 290 tons of ore.
This Anglo American truck uses a 2 megawatt hydrogen fuel cell. Burning hydrogen will only release water vapor, not carbon dioxide which will trap heat as in the case of fossil fuels. This hydrogen truck is still being tested, but it is believed that if successful, this truck can reduce emissions by up to 80 percent in Anglo's mines.
“Over the next few years, we are considering converting or replacing our current fleet of diesel powered trucks with this zero-emissions haulage system, which is hydrogen fueled. If this trial is successful, we can eliminate up to 80 percent of diesel emissions in our open pits by implementing this technology across our global fleet,” said Anglo American Chief Executive Duncan Wanblad.
In the future, Anglo American plans to convert another 40 diesel mining trucks to hydrogen power. In fact, Anglo American also has a long-term plan to operate 400 units of hydrogen mining trucks worldwide. Do you think Indonesia will buy from Anglo or make itself?