Major mining deal for Cat, Finning

Caterpillar and its dealer Finning International, have signed an agreement with global mining operator BHP Group Limited to replace BHP’s entire haul truck fleet at the Escondida mine in Chile, over the next 10 years. The first Cat 798 AC electric drive trucks will be delivered next year. (Photo: Finning International)

Global mining operator BHP Group Limited, Caterpillar Inc., and Cat dealer Finning International have announced an agreement to replace BHP’s entire haul truck fleet at the Escondida mine, the world’s largest copper producer, which is located in the Antofagasta Region or northern Chile.

The agreement is part of the strategic equipment renewal process developed by Escondida. Caterpillar said the new Caterpillar 798 AC electric drive trucks will incorporate technology that delivers significant improvements in material-moving capacity, efficiency, reliability and safety.

“This agreement is an important step to continue projecting into the future Escondida/BHP´s leadership in the industry,” said James Whittaker, president of Escondida/BHP. “It will allow us to generate significant efficiencies at the operational level, but it is also in line with some of the main challenges that drive us as a company: innovation for the future of mining, decarbonization, and development of capabilities in Antofagasta´s community. We have great expectations regarding the benefits that will be generated in the short and long term for both the company and the Antofagasta region.”

The first trucks are expected to arrive at the mine in the second half of 2023, with delivery of the remaining trucks to extend over the next 10 years as the three companies work to replace one of the largest fleets in the industry, currently comprised of over 160 haul trucks. Maintenance and support services provided under the agreement advance BHP’s local employment and gender balance strategies. Finning´s Integrated Knowledge Center, located in Antofagasta, will provide industry technical support for the fleet.

The agreement also allows Escondida/BHP to accelerate the implementation of their autonomy plans by transitioning the fleet to include technology that enables autonomous operation. In addition, the agreements set forth a technological path that helps the companies meet its decarbonization goals through the progressive implementation of zero-emission trucks.

“The Caterpillar team is excited to support the successful deployment of machines and technology that will facilitate a step-function improvement in BHP’s operational excellence,” said Denise Johnson, group president Resource Industries, Caterpillar Inc. “We applaud BHP as this mine site transformation accelerates the delivery of their aggressive sustainability targets.”

“We are very pleased to build on our long-term relationship with BHP to support its Escondida operations by improving efficiency, productivity, and safety, as well as reducing its carbon footprint, supporting its diversity and inclusion journey, and contributing to the development of capabilities in Antofagasta,” added Scott Thomson, president and CEO of Finning International. “This is the largest fleet deal in Finning’s history, and will significantly expand the Caterpillar truck population and support the transition towards cleaner energy, with electric drive trucks, and future zero-emission trucks.”