475 zero emission Liebherr mining machines – with one of these machines having been unveiled at MINExpo 2024, on September 24: the autonomous battery-electric T 264 truck, containing a battery electric power system developed by Fortescue Zero. Together, the two companies will develop and validate a range of further zero emission mining solutions, which will result in a zero emission mining ecosystem operational by 2030. The billion-deal amounts to the largest single deal in the Liebherr Group’s 75-year history.
The historic deal between Liebherr and Fortescue paves the way to zero emission mining and will help deliver the decarbonisation targets of both partnering companies.
In 2022, Fortescue and Liebherr first announced a partnership for the development and supply of 120 green mining haul trucks. At MINExpo 2024 the two companies made public that the deal was enlarged to the triple, means 360, not only battery-electric but also autonomous T 264 mining trucks.
All of the trucks in this fleet will ultimately be equipped with a zero emission battery power system developed by Fortescue Zero and, additionally, the jointly developed Autonomous Haulage Solution (AHS) – both of which were built to be scalable so they can be retrofitted onto existing Liebherr haul trucks. Four of these autonomous trucks are currently in validation at Fortescue’s testing site in Australia. Validation of the full autonomous battery-electric solution is expected to be complete in early 2026.
Additionally, the enlarged contract includes 60 electric Liebherr mining dozer, PR 776, also equipped with Fortescue Zero’s battery power system. Beyond that, there are also further 55 R 9400 E electric excavators completing the mega deal. Three of these R 9400 E excavators are already operational across Fortescue’s sites.
Together, the two companies will develop and validate a whole range of zero emission mining solutions, which will result in a zero emission mining ecosystem operational by 2030. This deal is expected to create one of the world’s largest zero emission mining fleets and represents a major breakthrough in the pursuit of a mining industry no longer reliant on fossil fuels.
Once the pioneering zero emission technologies developed within the partnership enter series production, they will become available for mining companies all over the world.
The deal, with all of the equipment and technological innovations, amounts to the single largest deal made in the Liebherr Group’s 75-year history and will generate further significant positive output beyond 2030: This large volume of machinery presents for example a unique growth opportunity for Liebherr-Australia, currently preparing its branches and reman facilities to ensure the capacity to safely and efficiently maintain all of this equipment.
General Manager Marketing
Liebherr Mining Equipment Newport News Co.
4100 Chestnut Ave.
Newport News, VA 23607
USA
