GHG Emissions, Industrial, Sourcing Renewables - November 1, 2024
Rio Tinto Transitions to RD at Kennecott
Rio Tinto completed the transition from conventional to renewable diesel for all heavy mining equipment at its Kennecott copper mine in Utah.
Kennecott’s fleet of 97 haul trucks and heavy machinery equipment at the mine, concentrator, smelter, refinery and tailings are now all fueled by renewable diesel sourced in the U.S. This is expected to reduce the mine’s Scope 1 emissions by 450,000 tons.
The switch to renewable diesel lowers PM2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 microns) emissions at the tailpipes of its haul truck fleet by 40%.
Kennecott has one of the lowest carbon footprints of any copper producer in the U.S. due to recent initiatives such as the closure of a coal-fired power plant, installation of a 5-megawatt solar farm, deployment of battery electric vehicles underground and the transition to renewable diesel.
The operation’s overall carbon footprint has been reduced by over 80% from 2018 levels.
“The transition to renewable diesel is a significant step toward our decarbonization goals at Kennecott where we have now reduced emissions by 80%, thanks to a range of initiatives in recent years,” said Rio Tinto Copper Chief Operating Officer Clayton Walker in a statement. “We remain committed to being responsible stewards of the environment and are always looking to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs for the energy transition.”
Kennecott’s transition to renewable fuel will also make low-carbon fuel more accessible in Utah. In partnership with Kennecott, HF Sinclair is dedicating two tanks to renewable diesel for the mine, with each tank having a capacity of 18,000 barrels or 756,000 gallons.
In 2023, Kennecott conducted an initial trial of renewable diesel, which compared two trucks using regular diesel against two using renewable diesel. Officials measured the trucks’ acceleration, cycle time, fuel usage and engine inspection reports. The renewable diesel was trialed successfully, complementing similar test findings from Rio Tinto’s Boron mine in California.
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