Hudbay’s Copper Mountain mine in British Columbia is at the forefront of environmentally conscious mining practices, implementing innovative technologies and solutions to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and minimize environmental impacts.
These include:
- Electric trolley-assist – This innovative system is currently the only one of its kind in North America. Trolley-assist transports haul trucks carrying ore up the one-kilometre ramp from the pit to the crusher via pantographs and wires powered by hydroelectricity from BC Hydro. This reduces the amount of diesel needed to power the fully loaded trucks up the ramp, displacing approximately 400 litres of diesel per hour, or about one tonne of CO2 emissions. At the end of 2023, Copper Mountain had seven trolley-capable haul trucks. A $10 million grant from the CleanBC Industry Fund and $2 million from BC Hydro helped fund the system. This system was featured on an episode of the Fully Charged Show in October.
- World’s largest electric excavator – In October 2023, Copper Mountain commissioned the world’s largest electric hydraulic excavator, standing at 9.7 metres tall and 10 metres wide. Operating solely on electricity, the PC8000-11 excavator is the newest addition to the operation’s electric fleet, joining two other electric excavators. In 2024, the operation plans to commission its third electric blasthole drill. Supporting these efforts are provincial and federal grants.
- Renewable diesel – To further address emissions from haul trucks, the primary source of GHG emissions in open-pit mining, we partnered with Cummins, Komatsu, and SMS to evaluate the use of renewable diesel in our haul trucks. In 2023, we completed a laboratory-based test and field testing on two of our haul trucks, using only renewable diesel, testing in cold weather conditions and monitoring the impacts on engine performance and reliability. Due to the success of the trial, 80% of the fuel purchased in 2024 will be renewable diesel.
We continue to investigate the use of alternative fuels and energy sources, including hydrogen, battery, wind and fuel cell technology. Copper Mountain’s commitment to sustainable practices demonstrates responsible mining’s role in the transition to a greener future.