Rio Tinto aims to minimize its carbon footprint through its partnership with Neste by changing its equipment's fossil fuel dependence to that of renewable diesel.
FREMONT, CA: "Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty industries, like mining, has been a challenge, but our partnership demonstrates renewable diesel can keep the industry's heavy equipment running with a smaller carbon footprint while delivering the same reliability and performance," says Carrie Song, Vice President, Renewable Road Transportation Americas at Neste. "We hope our partnership will inspire other players in the industry to consider, adopt and endorse renewable diesel as a solution to fight climate change today."
Neste reveals a partnership with Rio Tinto to help turn its equipment from fossil diesel reliance to renewable diesel at the US Borax mine in Boron, California. The partnership helps Rio Tinto reduce its fleet's carbon footprint and sets a precedent for other mining companies.
Rio Tinto completed the first trial of switching from fossil diesel to renewable fuel on a haul truck in 2022 in collaboration with Neste and Rolls-Royce. During the study, Rio Tinto US Borax utilized Neste MY Renewable DieselTM. The use of renewable raw materials such as used cooking oil and animal fat waste can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent over the life of the engine using MY Renewable Diesel. In the trial, Rolls-Royce MTU engines powered by Neste MY Renewable Diesel delivered similar performance and reliability to trucks powered by fossil diesel.
Based on the trial's positive findings, Rio Tinto US Borax has continued to collaborate with Rolls-Royce, Neste, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the State of California to switch its heavy machinery fleet at the US Borax mine in Boron to renewable diesel by the end of May 2023. This covers any heavy gear on the premises, including haul trucks, loaders, and even blasting equipment.
"This is an excellent example of what happens when internal and external partners collaborate toward a carbon reduction goal. Support from the State of California has been incredibly important, as, without their vision, this would not have been possible," says Sinead Kaufman, Chief Executive, Minerals, Rio Tinto. "The transition at Boron is an important first step and will undoubtedly lead to further opportunities to decarbonize our global operations. Renewable diesel is one of several sustainability solutions that Rio Tinto is using to transform its businesses."
