Mining towards net zero
The industry’s ambition is to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Overview
In October 2021, the MCA confirmed the industry’s ambition to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, in support of the goals of the Paris Agreement.
This ambition can only be achieved through significant investment in technology. Member companies are proactively adopting or considering a range of existing and emerging technologies.
In 2021, members identified the following categories of actions to reduce emissions at scale:
- Energy efficiency initiatives
- Replacing current energy sources with renewable energy
- Carbon capture and storage
- Additional flaring and gas capture equipment
- Flaring of underground emissions
- Ventilated air methane (VAM)
- Abatement (subject to safety considerations)
- Electrification
- Funding medium-longer term negative emissions technologies
Member Climate Announcements
The MCA Climate Action Plan details how the industry is taking action co to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Listed below are is a snapshot of member company announcements with respect to climate change and reducing emissions:
Rio Tinto
February 2025
Rio Tinto conducts first renewable diesel trial across Pilbara iron ore operations
BHP
December 2024
Toyota Australia and BHP to trial first-ever battery electric HiLux Double Cab
Rio Tinto
June 2024
Developing BioIron™ R&D facility in Western Australia to test low-carbon steelmaking
Rio Tinto
May 2024
Collaborating on battery-electric haul truck trials in the Pilbara
Aurizon
March 2024
On track to reduce resources emissions
Rio Tinto
January 2024
Rio Tinto to drive development of Australia’s largest solar farm at Gladstone
Rio Tinto
December 2023
Rio Tinto approves new solar farm and battery storage to power its Amrun bauxite operations on Cape York
BHP
November 2023
Innovative large-scale Northern Goldfields Solar and Battery Storage Facility goes live
Roy Hill
November 2023
Wabtec and Roy Hill unveil the first FLXdrive battery locomotive
Rio Tinto
August 2023
Rio Tinto commits $150 million to Centre for Future Materials led by Imperial College London
BHP
August 2023
Toyota Australia and BHP join forces to prioritise safety and decarbonisation
Rio Tinto
July 2023
Rio Tinto and Sumitomo to build Gladstone hydrogen pilot plant to trial lower-carbon alumina refining
BHP
July 2023
BHP, China Baowu and Monash University launch an Industry Knowledge Centre
Rio Tinto
June 2023
China Baowu and Rio Tinto extend climate partnership to decarbonise the steel value chain
Rio Tinto
June 2023
China Baowu and Rio Tinto extend climate partnership to decarbonise the steel value chain
BHP
March 2023
BHP and Hatch commence design study for an electric smelting furnace pilot
BHP
March 2023
BHP signs Carbon Capture and Utilisation pilot agreement with China’s HBIS Group
BHP
February 2023
BHP trials renewable fuel at Yandi
Anglo American
November 2022
Anglo American sources 100% renewable electricity supply for Australia operations
BHP
November 2022
BHP unveils first fully electric Jumbo at Olympic Dam
Perenti
November 2022
Perenti and ABB agree to jointly explore solutions to help mining customers decarbonise operations
BHP
November 2022
New wind and battery project in South Australia
Yancoal
November 2022
Yancoal partners with Green Gravity to study feasibility of gravitational energy at Austar mine
Rio Tinto
November 2022
Scania and Rio Tinto agree to develop autonomous haulage solutions supporting a pathway to lower emissions mining
Rio Tinto
November 2022
Rio Tinto plans further investment in renewable energy in the Pilbara
BHP
September 2022
First large-scale Port Hedland solar battery hybrid project
Rio Tinto
July 2022
Rio Tinto and Ford sign MOU for battery and low carbon materials supply to support net-zero future
BHP
June 2022
New BHP grants to support blue carbon market
Anglo American
May 2022
Anglo American unveils a prototype of the world’s largest hydrogen-powered mine haul truck – a vital step towards reducing carbon emissions over time
BHP
April 2022
BHP Nickel West secures wind farm power for Southern operations
Glencore
April 2022
Glencore and General Motors enter multi-year cobalt supply agreement
BHP
February 2022
Jobs boost as construction begins on Northern Goldfields solar and battery storage project
BHP
February 2022
BHP extends low carbon steel research partnership with the University of Newcastle
BHP
January 2022
BHP orders four battery-electric locomotives for WAIO rail network
Rio Tinto
January 2022
Rio Tinto to buy electric locomotives for Pilbara
Anglo American
December 2021
Anglo American and Aurizon look to hydrogen-powered trains in Queensland
Aurizon
December 2021
Aurizon and Anglo American look to hydrogen-powered trains in in Queensland
Arafura Resources
November 2021
Arafura Resources completes independent GHG emissions audit of Nolans Project
Anglo American
November 2021
Anglo American and Komatsu rehabilitation partnership plants 14,000 trees
Newmont Australia
November 2021
Newmont and Caterpillar announce revolutionary strategic alliance to achieve zero emissions mining
Anglo American
October 2021
Anglo American working with industry partners to improve technology for capturing dilute VAM to deliver effective methane abatement without compromising operational safety
Rio Tinto
October 2021
Rio Tinto and Bluescope to explore low carbon-steelmaking pathways
Rio Tinto
October 2021
Unveils new target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50 per cent by 2030
Whitehaven
October 2021
More than 300,000 trees planted across Maules Creek biodiversity offset properties
Rio Tinto
October 2021
Rio Tinto targets low-carbon steel production with new technology
Rio Tinto
September 2021
Rio Tinto teams up with Caterpillar for zero-emissions autonomous trucks
Whitehaven
September 2021
Whitehaven invests in developing internal emissions tracking system
Glencore
April 2021
China Huaneng Group and Glencore sign MOU on CCUS project
Newmont Australia
December 2020
Newmont Announces $500 Million Investment to Address Climate Change
Newcrest Mining
December 2020
Newcrest Renewable energy PPA to help deliver 20% reduction in emissions
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