Kathryn Horlin, Program Manager Pathways to Net-Zero, BHP

I think the next five to ten years will see a big expansion in the technology options available to solve some of our toughest challenges for reducing operational emissions.

As Program Manager Pathways to Net Zero, Kathryn Horlin works with BHP's assets and functions to enable achievement of BHP's public decarbonisation targets. Her decarbonisation experience at BHP has included developing and deploying technology solutions that drive greenhouse gas emission reductions across BHP’s global operations.

Energy and Mines: How is the focus on climate change and ESG driving energy and mobility decisions for mining operations?

Kathryn Horlin: BHP has been on this journey for many years and we are making good progress. Our strategy focuses on climate leadership through action to decarbonise and adaptation planning – underpinned by strong partnerships and development and deployment of a range of technologies. I think the next five to ten years will see a big expansion in the technology options available to solve some of our toughest challenges for reducing operational emissions – like the question of how we eliminate diesel from our material movement. Diesel use made up about 40 per cent of BHP’s operational emissions in FY2021. We’re partnering with Caterpillar and Komatsu and participating in innovation initiatives to develop low-emissions haul trucks; and trialling electric trains and light vehicles across our operations.

EandM: How is the drive to decarbonise shifting the thinking and approach to renewable energy for mining?

KH: Electricity made up about 38 per cent of BHP’s operational emissions in FY2021 and we have already started switching to renewable energy as a priority. These changes make a big difference to our emissions profile, and the impact on our operations of a change such as this is often less of an issue compared to other more complex opportunities to decarbonise, since renewable energy is a like-for-like replacement of an existing power source. At most of our operations, which are connected to grid electricity, we’re moving onto multiyear agreements with renewable energy providers. This is a really effective way of starting to bring our emissions down while we are still working on eliminating diesel. And to add a further reflection on this, we expect our electricity demand will increase significantly as a result of electrifying our fleet, and so the role of renewable energy in decarbonisation isn’t limited to simply replacing volumes of existing emissions intensive supply, but by providing a significantly expanded energy source for the future decarbonisation of BHP’s operations.

EandM: What are the main challenges of trying to meet 2030 and 2050 decarbonisation goals for mines?

KH: Technology readiness is one of the biggest challenges when it comes to decarbonising our operations. We have made an early and meaningful impact on our emission trajectory by switching to renewable energy but we have a more significant challenge with the question of how to eliminate diesel from our operations, because the technology readiness level of many emerging technologies is not there yet, and with respect to fugitive methane from coal production.

We continue to collaborate with industry peers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to assess zero emissions material movement options and determine how they can be deployed at our operations in the future. Building upon strong foundations laid last year, the ‘Charge on Innovation Challenge’ has continued its positive progress. Established in 2021 in partnership with Rio Tinto and Vale, and facilitated by Austmine, the global initiative challenges technology innovators to develop concepts for large-scale haul truck electrification systems.

We recognize the essential role that original equipment manufacturers feature in the development of new products, bringing their expertise and know-how to help solve for the emissions challenge. In January 2022, BHP announced a partnership with Progress Rail and Wabtec to deliver and trial four battery-electric locomotives across our WAIO operations in 2024. The trial will include the testing of ‘energy recapture’ opportunities, with locomotives capturing and storing energy from braking on downhill slopes, before repurposing it to help power the empty train back to the Pilbara mines. This has the potential to reduce overall power demand by up to 50 percent and, if successful, will be a significant, industry-changing step for rail operations. We have also continued our close working relationship with Caterpillar and Komatsu as a founding member of Komatsu’s GHG Alliance, supporting the development of a fully electrified haul truck.

For fugitives, the focus is on R&D, and may require offsetting until a solution is available.

EandM: Who are you looking forward to connecting with at Energy and Mines Australia Summit, September 6-7, Westin Perth?

KH: It’s been a couple of years since I’ve attended the last in-person conference, so I’m really looking forward to connecting with both local and international colleagues from peer mining companies, OEMs and other industry participants.

Kathryn Horlin is participating in the Keynote Panel: Mining’s Energy, Decarbonisation, and ESG Transformation, Sept 6, 9:10 AM, Energy and Mines Australia Summit