Diversified miner BHP has partnered with Caterpillar and Finning to replace the entire haul truck fleet at the Escondida copper mine, in northern Chile.

The mine, which currently has one of the biggest fleets in the industry with 160 trucks, will operate the new Caterpillar 798 AC electric drive truck, BHP says.

The first haul truck is set to arrive in the second half of next year and the remining trucks will be delivered over the next ten years.

Finning, which is the world’s top Caterpillar dealer, will provide technical support for the fleet through its integrated knowledge centre, located in Antofagasta.  

The Caterpillar 798 AC electric drive truck will feature technology that delivers improvements in material-moving capacity, efficiency, reliability and safety, and generate a positive impact in key initiatives such as decarbonisation, diversity and inclusion, autonomous technologies, and the development of local capabilities. 

“[This agreement] will allow us to generate significant efficiencies at the operational level, but it is also in line with some of the main challenges that drive us as a company: innovation for the future of mining, decarbonisation and development of capabilities in Antofagasta´s community. We have great expectations regarding the benefits that will be generated in the short and long term for both the company and the Antofagasta region,” says Escondida BHP president James Whittaker.

“The Caterpillar team is excited to support the successful deployment of machines and technology that will facilitate a step-function improvement in BHP’s operational excellence. We applaud BHP as this mine site transformation accelerates the delivery of their aggressive sustainability targets,” adds Caterpillar group president of resources industries Denise Johnson. 

Finning president and CEO Scott Thomson says this is the biggest fleet deal in the company’s history.

“The deal will significantly expand the Caterpillar truck population and support the transition towards cleaner energy, with electric drive trucks, and future zero-emission trucks,” he states.