Liebherr Mining and Fortescue have successfully converted their R 9400 excavators from diesel to electric drive.
The modified machine is already in operation at Fortescue’s Christmas Creek mine in Western Australia.
This is the first time in more than 40 years of Liebherr electric excavators that the company has converted one of its excavators from diesel to electric configuration during the normal life of the machine. The hydrogen on-board power unit (OPU) designed and developed by Fortescue to power the newly modified R 9400 excavators is currently undergoing field testing at Fortescue’s purpose-built zero-emission test site at Christmas Creek.
The repowering of the R 9400 excavators reflects Liebherr and Fortescue’s joint efforts to develop zero-emission solutions for the mining industry. Experts from Liebherr and Fortescue were involved in the project, which was carried out at Liebherr Australia’s Perth, Western Australia branch.
“Liebherr is delighted that Fortescue has chosen to partner with Liebherr in a joint effort to accelerate the path towards a fossil fuel-free mining future. “This retrofit project shows that Liebherr machines previously equipped with diesel engines can also be decarbonised,” Liebherr said. explains Oliver Weiss, Executive Vice President of R&D, Engineering and Manufacturing at Boherr Mining.
“The modular design of Liebherr equipment makes it possible to convert existing diesel excavators to new zero-emission configurations, such as electric drivetrains,” continues Weiss. “This means the diesel equipment customers buy today will also be future-proof for many years to come. The fact that we can make it easier for our customers to transition from traditional to decarbonized mining fleets is something we one of the key strategies. Liebherr’s zero-emission mining initiative. “
Dino Otranto, CEO of Fortescue Metals, added: “This is an exciting milestone for both Fortescue and Liebherr as we work together to develop the zero-emission solutions the world needs to Beyond Fossil Fuels.” “Our partnership with Liebherr is an example of true collaboration and how heavy industry can work together to decarbonize and eliminate fossil fuels.”
