Thiess’s multi-faceted sustainability approach & latest technologies
Posted by Paul Moore on March 6, 2023
The world’s leading mining services group Thiess has published its Sustainability Report 2022, in which a Increased commitment to climate action by announcing interim targets in support of the Group’s goal of net-zero Scope 1, 2 and Scope 3 emissions from the operating fleet by 2050.
This includes net zero Thiess Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025; 85% of Thiess Hybrid or battery-electric light vehicles by 2030 and a 25% reduction in Scope 3 emissions from diesel combustion in the Thiess operated fleet by 2035.
These decarbonization efforts are complemented by the group’s positive progress on its sustainability agenda, including its goal to offset thermal coal sales to less than 25% by 2027. Through its strategic approach to diversification, Thiess is on track to achieve this as early as 2025.
Additionally, the report provided some interesting insights into the role technology is playing in helping Thiess achieve some of these goals. Executive Chair and CEO Michael Wright stated, “To achieve this, we will continue our partnership, technology-centric approach, as demonstrated through joint projects with leading OEMs and think tanks such as Mining3. We are also developing new services for the low-carbon economy, such as B. Thiess Rehabilitation, which combines environmental expertise with decades of mining experience to provide world-leading mine rehabilitation services.” He adds, “Our work to decarbonize our operations has resulted in business improvements ranging from emissions data platform improvements to energy efficiency measures and alternative fuel initiatives to further investments in autonomous operation.”
Looking at concrete examples in battery electric vehicles (BEVs), in 2022 Thiess investigated the use of battery electric buses for use between their warehouses and locations to support shift changes. This type of commuting with multiple journeys where the time is not running in between is a suitable application for BEVs. In collaboration with an electric vehicle leasing company, Thiess is investigating different specifications for different applications. Upon successful completion of a pilot planned for 2023, Thiess will launch a program to replace all transportation to accommodation with a BEV option.
Electric options are also emerging in the light-duty vehicle market, and Thiess says it is currently conducting assessments to select suitable vehicles that can be replaced by BEVs. A first assessment shows that the handcraft vehicles used in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia, are the most suitable due to the shorter driving distances. They will use feedback from pilot participants to assess applicability to other sites and applications.
For larger mining trucks, Thiess is working with Mitsui to electrify mining equipment such as battery-powered dump trucks. Other initiatives include a preliminary feasibility study on retrofitting existing diesel trucks; and evaluating the suitability of a battery powered water truck. Recently acquired MACA is also working with Mitsui, AVL and other battery and engineering companies to study electrification of dump trucks, with the current focus on battery design and packaging. Cycle simulation studies are also underway to ensure efficiency.
Thiess has now introduced five new Liebherr T 264 electric wheel drive trucks in Chile and deployed another six in its US operations. The trucks feature energy-independent powertrains, allowing for future retrofit or upgrade modules as new, lower-emission energy sources such as electric batteries and hydrogen become available. They are also equipped with Liebherr’s trolley assistance system, which connects the electric drive system to a power grid, offering greater productivity with reduced fuel consumption and fleet emissions.
It is also studying the use of renewable diesel, a comparable substitute for petroleum diesel, to achieve emission reductions ahead of the large-scale introduction of new technologies. Thiess says it is working with suppliers to provide full ethical raw material certification to reduce potential concerns about palm oil use. In 2023, Thiess is working with its suppliers and OEMs to validate the product specification to reduce emissions at a future pilot site.
Work also continues with Mine Energy Solutions (MES) to begin converting six trucks to dual-fuel gas and diesel power by 2023. Thiess also continued testing the introduction of hydrogen trickle flow technology to reduce diesel consumption in a project in South Australia. Drip feed hydrogen is a transitional technology whereby small amounts of hydrogen generated on board the mining fleet are captured and “trickled” fed into the engine to improve combustion and reduce diesel consumption and associated emissions. In 2022, Thiess began a trial of this technology at its Prominent Hill facility with units equipped to 40% of the transport fleet.
It adds: “Subject to test results, this technology may provide a flexible solution that Thiess will explore for retrofitting a range of rig types.” This year it is introducing the technology to autonomous drills at one of its sites in New South Wales in Australia and on trucks at its operations in North and South America.
Thiess T 264 electric truck in Chile
Autonomy can also result in reduced fuel consumption. Thiess, WesTrac and Caterpillar have partnered to deliver a series of autonomous drilling milestones at a project in New South Wales. This included piloting the use of the drills in a production environment with an external remote operations center and simultaneously operating three autonomous drill rigs from a single remote operations station. The improved efficiency due to autonomy has resulted in a 7.7% reduction in fuel consumption per meter drilled.
In 2023, Thiess will also begin mining operations at its new Olive Downs Complex operation in Queensland, which will include autonomous equipment. Owner Pembroke Resources says that mining operations at the world class coking coal project are expected to begin in June 2023 with first coal deliveries by late 2023/early 2024. The mine will produce 20 Mt/yr ROM coal over a 79 year mine life .
In November 2022, at a Bowen Basin Mining Club event, Blair Richardson, general manager of Pembroke Resources, revealed some details about the fleet – namely that Thiess will be using both Caterpillar 793 and 794 dump trucks working with 800-ton excavators. The Olive Downs Complex will be the first greenfield site on the East Coast to introduce full automation with three automated fleets and two manned fleets. This will be one of the most significant greenfield Caterpillar commands for transportation projects in recent years.
OEM-independent autonomy is also an important part of Thiess’ strategy. SafeAI, a leader in autonomous heavy equipment, and MACA last year announced a partnership to retrofit a mixed fleet of 100 mining trucks at multiple locations. MACA Receives First 100 SafeAI Autonomy Solutions in Australia; with Position Partners, now majority owned by Mitsui, providing operational and site support to MACA.