【Ferro-alloys.com】: Diversified miner BHP has taken delivery of Australia’s first purpose-built battery-electric locomotives, with two new heavy-haul units arriving in Port Hedland for trials on the company’s Pilbara iron-ore rail network.

Developed with technology partner Wabtec, the fully battery-powered locomotives will operate between BHP’s Pilbara mines and Port Hedland operations. Built to handle the region’s extreme heat and demanding haul conditions, they are intended to help reduce diesel consumption and lower Scope 1 and 2 emissions.

Each locomotive is equipped with a 7 MWh battery system and regenerative braking technology that captures energy during downhill braking and feeds it back into the battery.

Commissioning is under way, after which the units will undergo track trials to test performance under real-world operating conditions.

“It’s incredible to see these battery-electric locos in Port Hedland – the first new models in Australia, and representing years of planning, problem solving and partnership," said BHP Western Australia Iron Ore asset president Tim Day.

“The Pilbara has always been a place of big ambition, and these locomotives represent the kind of innovation that is needed to keep the region firing.”

• [Editor:Alakay]