Brazilian mining giant Vale has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China’s XCMG Construction Machinery for the supply of mining and infrastructure equipment to help accelerate zero-carbon mining operations.
The MoU for the supply of zero-emission and autonomous equipment comes as the two firms seek to expand the use of electric battery-powered vehicles.
According to the agreement, XCMG will deliver equipment prototypes, including two electric battery-powered mining haul trucks to Vale.
Vale plans to test these zero-emission trucks, each weighing up to 72 tons, at its operations in Minas Gerais, Brazil and Indonesia. The trucks are due to be delivered in the first half of next year.
The Brazilian mining firm also plans to trial another electric truck weighing up to 240 tons at a later date.
Vale global business solutions executive vice-president Alexandre Pereira said: “This initiative is in line with Vale’s goal of reducing its carbon emissions by 33 per cent by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and reinforces our ambition to lead the road to low-carbon mining.
“We also see this partnership with XCMG as one more important step in the deepening of our long-term and win-win partnership with China, which dates back to 1973 when we sent our first iron ore shipment to the People’s Republic.”
