Australia’s first Cat® 793 XE Early Learner battery-electric haul trucks have arrived at BHP’s Jimblebar iron ore site in the Pilbara, marking the start of on-ground testing of Caterpillar’s heavy-haul electric technology in one of the world’s most significant mining regions. The trucks were delivered through a joint initiative between BHP, Rio Tinto and Caterpillar—an industry-first collaboration aimed at accelerating the shift toward zero-emission mining fleets. The battery-electric models are designed to match diesel haul truck productivity while eliminating exhaust emissions.
Following safe commissioning, trials will begin to assess the operational feasibility of battery-electric haulage in large-scale iron ore mining. The program will help determine requirements for supporting infrastructure, charging capability, power systems, operational processes and workforce preparation as the sector transitions toward low-carbon operations.
Decarbonizing mining fleets in the Pilbara will rely on continued advances in technology and large-scale systems integration. BHP and Rio Tinto are working closely with Caterpillar, with support from WesTrac, to fast-track development and evaluate deployment pathways. After the joint trial phase, each company will independently assess the potential for broader rollout within their own operations.
“We’re proud to power up the first battery-electric haul trucks in the Pilbara,” said Tim Day, BHP Western Australia Iron Ore Asset President. “Moving away from diesel requires more than a new vehicle—it requires new ways of operating, new infrastructure, and new supply chains. These trials are essential as we learn how to bring all of those pieces together and move toward large-scale implementation.”
Andrew Wilson, Rio Tinto Iron Ore Pilbara Mines Managing Director, added “Transitioning our haul truck fleet across 18 Pilbara mines is a major challenge. No single company can achieve this shift alone, which is why working together with BHP and Caterpillar is so important. Through this collaboration, we aim to reduce emissions and support our journey toward net-zero operations.”
Marc Cameron, Senior Vice President, Resource Industries Sales, Services and Technology, Caterpillar Inc., said “The arrival of these Early Learner trucks is a milestone for the industry. By working closely with our customers through real-world trials, we are advancing the technology needed to support the future of sustainable mining.”
The results from this phase of testing will help shape the next stage of development, including potential scaling to larger battery-electric truck fleets across Pilbara operations. The initiative supports the long-term decarbonisation goals of both BHP and Rio Tinto, each targeting net-zero operational greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
BHP is one of the world’s largest mining and natural-resources companies, operating globally across more than 90 locations. The company produces a wide range of commodities — iron ore, copper, metallurgical coal, nickel and, increasingly, potash — making it a key supplier for steel production, renewable energy infrastructure, and agriculture. Since its origins in the 19th-century silver mines of Broken Hill (Australia), BHP has grown into a diversified global powerhouse with a mission to supply resources that build “a better world.”
Rio Tinto is an Anglo-Australian multinational mining company, co-headquartered in London and Melbourne, with operations spanning around 35 countries. Founded in 1873 through purchase of the historic Río Tinto mines in Spain, it has since expanded into one of the world’s largest metals and mining firms. Rio Tinto mines and processes a diverse portfolio — iron ore, aluminium (via bauxite and alumina), copper, and other critical minerals — supplying materials essential for global infrastructure,
