Liebherr and Fortescue have announced the expansion of their partnership to produce zero-emission mining equipment. The announcement came during MINExpo 2024, and it’s said to help both Fortescue and Liebherr deliver on their decarbonization targets. New equipment from the partnership will be available globally after the zero-emission technology is developed and the series production kicks off.
Dr Jörg Lukowski, executive vice president of sales and marketing Liebherr-Mining Equipment SAS, says, “We are proud to have facilitated the single largest equipment deal in the entire 75-year history of the Liebherr Group. Especially as the expansion of our collaboration with Fortescue is an important step forward in our shared goal to decarbonize mining activities worldwide.”
This deal will include 475 new machines, of which roughly 360 will be autonomous T264 trucks equipped with the battery electric power system produced by Fortescue Zero.
“This is an important next step in our 2030 Real Zero target – to eliminate emissions from our Australian iron ore operations by the end of the decade,” states Dr Andrew Forrest, executive chairman of Fortescue. “The world needs Real Zero now – it simply cannot afford to wait. The green solutions we need are here today, and Fortescue Zero is supplying them and rolling them out across our massive mining operations. Fortescue Zero developed this battery technology and jointly developed the Automated Haulage Solution, leading the way to provide green innovative solutions to eliminate emissions from heavy industry.”
This historic partnership will also include the production of 55 R 9400 E electric excavators, a mix of face shovels, and backhoe machines. Fortescue first implemented Liebherr’s electric excavator technology in 2023, with the release of Australia’s industry-first electric excavator in December. Three R 9400 E excavators are already produced and running on-site at Fortescue.
The partnership expansion will be the largest equipment deal in Liebherr’s 75-year history. The full autonomous battery electric solution is expected to be completed and launched in early 2026.
