BHP, Rio Tinto and Caterpillar Test Battery-Electric Haul Trucks in Live Mining Operations

A collaboration between BHP, Rio Tinto, and Caterpillar is putting battery-electric haul truck technology to the test in one of the most demanding environments in the world: a working iron ore mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Three months into field testing at BHP's Jimblebar mine, two Cat 793 XE Early Learner battery-electric haul trucks are now collecting real-world operating data alongside the existing diesel fleet. The vehicles are part of a global fleet of seven Early Learner trucks currently being evaluated at mine sites worldwide.

Why This Trial Matters

Large mining haul trucks are among the single largest diesel consumers on any mine site. A typical 793 haul truck burns tens of thousands of liters of diesel per year under normal operating conditions. At scale — a major mine may run dozens of these units simultaneously — transitioning even a portion of the fleet to battery-electric operation would represent a substantial emissions reduction.

The challenge has always been whether battery technology can match the duty cycle demands of a working mine: continuous heavy loading, long ramp cycles, tight turnaround times, and the need for reliable power delivery across varying terrain and shift lengths. That is exactly what the Jimblebar trial is designed to test.

Early Data from the Trial

Before beginning field testing at Jimblebar, the battery-electric haul trucks completed a series of safety and operational tests at Caterpillar's Tucson Proving Ground in Arizona. Field testing at the live mine site has now surpassed 100 operating hours and more than 200 test laps, providing initial data on safety, maintenance requirements, and overall performance.

Data gathered during the trial will help assess battery-electric haul truck performance, the supporting infrastructure required for deployment at scale, and the technology's potential for wider rollout — including high-powered static and dynamic charging systems.

Upcoming testing phases will focus on dynamic charging, which would allow trucks to receive power while they continue operating on the haul circuit. If successful, dynamic charging could significantly improve operational efficiency by reducing or eliminating the downtime currently required for stationary charging.

What This Means for the Industry

The involvement of BHP and Rio Tinto — two of the world's largest mining companies — alongside Caterpillar signals serious industry-wide commitment to decarbonizing large mining operations. Both miners have publicly committed to net-zero emissions targets, and heavy haul trucks represent one of the most significant sources of direct emissions on their operational footprint.

For equipment distributors and contractors in Latin America, where large-scale mining operations in Chile, Peru, and Colombia are central to the regional economy, developments like this trial are worth tracking. Battery-electric haul truck technology that proves viable at scale in Western Australia will eventually reach South American mining operations — and the transition will have significant implications for parts supply, maintenance practices, and infrastructure investment.

ICP Miami follows developments in the heavy equipment sector closely. For parts and service support for your current Caterpillar or mining equipment fleet, contact our team or browse our brands page.