Fortescue has announced a $US2.8 billion ($4 billion) partnership with Liebherr for the delivery of carbon-free mining solutions.

Announced at this year’s MINExpo in Las Vegas, Fortescue confirmed Liebherr will deliver a total 455 zero-emission machines to the iron ore giant.

This will include 360 autonomous battery-electric trucks, 55 electric excavators and 60 battery-powered dozers.

Fortescue founder and executive chair Andrew Forrest was at the event, where the companies also unveiled the jointly developed autonomous battery-electric T 264 truck.

“Partnerships with companies and people like Liebherr and Willi Liebherr – where ambition is backed by action – are critical,” Forrest said.

“This is an important next step in our 2030 Real Zero target – to eliminate emissions from our Australian iron ore operations by the end of the decade.

“We can together be the trailblazers who forge the world’s move away from fossil fuels.”

The influx of zero-emission equipment will represent about two-thirds of the current mining fleet at Fortescue’s operations.

Liebherr and Fortescue are committed to having a comprehensive and large-scale zero-emission mining ecosystem operational by 2030.

Both companies have confirmed that, through their continued cooperation, customers will be able to access this ecosystem for their own operations in the coming years.

Fortescue will also collaborate with Downer to jointly design and develop what is expected to be the world’s most energy efficient battery electric locomotive.

“We strongly believe that developing and enhancing green technology is key to addressing climate change,” Fortescue Energy chief executive officer Mark Hutchinson said.

“This collaboration not only creates the opportunity to help Fortescue reach its own decarbonisation targets, it also establishes an important new business growth opportunity.”

The design and development of zero-emissions battery electric train solutions has the potential to reduce emissions significantly. A typical heavy haul diesel-electric locomotive can consume one million litres of fuel per year, which equates to 2680 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

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