ANGLO AMERICAN ACCELERATES ZERO EMISSIONS HAULAGE SOLUTION

Anglo American launched the prototype of its nuGen™ ZEHS hydrogen-powered mine haul truck at its Mogalakwena platinum group metals mine in South Africa in May 2022 – the world’s largest of its kind designed to operate in everyday mining conditions.

Conceived as part of Anglo American’s FutureSmart Mining™ programme, nuGen™ ZEHS is an end-to-end solution to decarbonise heavy duty transport and includes hydrogen production, on-site storage, refuelling and hydrogen-battery hybrid powertrains to replace incumbent fossil fuel technology. With diesel emissions from its mine haul truck fleets accounting for 10% to 15% of Anglo American’s total Scope 1 emissions, and haulage trucks accounting for up to 80% of diesel emissions at open-pit mines, nuGen™ ZEHS will play an important role in delivering not only Anglo American’s target of carbon neutral operations by 2040, but also supporting the decarbonisation of the mining industry, with potential across other industries.

First Mode, a global carbon reduction company focused on heavy industry, and Anglo American signed a binding agreement to combine their nuGen™ zero emission haulage solution to accelerate the transition of mining and other heavy industries to diesel-free futures. The transaction, which is expected to close in January 2023, values the newly-combined business in the order of US$1.5-billion and includes a $200-million equity injection from Anglo American.

Upon closing of the transaction, First Mode will enter into a global supply agreement to supply several nuGen™ systems to Anglo American which includes the retrofit of about 400 ultra-class haul trucks with First Mode’s proprietary hybrid fuel cell battery powerplant and related infrastructure. The roll-out of nuGen™ across Anglo American’s haul truck fleet over the next 15 years is subject to certain conditions and required approvals.

Previously announced in June 2022, the transaction is a unique combination of creative engineering excellence and mining expertise which brings together the existing First Mode business with Anglo American’s nuGen™ related intellectual property, management and operational teams. First Mode is now well-positioned to commercialise the nuGen™ haulage solution which intelligently incorporates new technology into mine site operations and consists of a powerplant with appropriate hybridisation of hydrogen-powered fuel cells and battery (depending on customer and site requirements), refuelling and recharging technology, clean energy production and storage, modification of diesel electric vehicles, digital integration with mine site systems as well as ongoing services.

“The First Mode mission is much bigger than a single haul truck,” says First Mode CEO, Julian Soles. “Mining is how the world obtains the materials needed for the clean energy transition, and it is where the carbon footprint starts. This is where the First Mode solution begins; starting at the source, in mining, to replace diesel and accelerate the clean energy transition.”

The world’s first proof-of-concept ultra-class haul truck recently reached a significant milestone when it completed initial commissioning and was introduced into the mine’s commercial fleet operations, including pit and crusher activities.