Roundup: Antofagasta Minerals hydrogen locomotive, Sierra Gorda LNG trucks

Hydrogen locomotive

FCAB, the rail transport division of Chilean miner Antofagasta Minerals, launched the first hydrogen-powered locomotive in South America.

The locomotive will run between Antofagasta city and the port. Its operations will be analyzed by companies for possible future use cases in other areas of the mining sector.

The 1,000kW machine was developed by China's leading locomotive manufacturer CRRC Qishuyan and is equipped with a large-capacity battery and a 35MPa hydrogen storage system.

In addition, its design allowed it to be 30t lighter than other hydrogen locomotives, Antofagasta Minerals said in a statement.

As it only emits water vapour and hot air, the locomotive is seen as key to advancing the group's decarbonization plan. It will transport sulfuric acid, copper concentrate, anodes, cathodes and other minerals.

Antofagasta Minerals is also implementing final installations and is providing training for personnel to operate and maintain hydrogen-powered units.

LNG trucks

Chilean miner Sierra Gorda, formed by Polish company KGHM International and Australia's South32, will incorporate its first fleet of LNG-powered trucks in early 2025.

The fleet will comprise 40 tractor-trailers, but also 40 hoppers and two electric vans.

The machines are part of a contract with local San Gabriel group, which allows the incorporation of LNG vehicles to transport copper and molybdenum concentrate.

With the machines, the company wants to reduce scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions and reduce its carbon footprint, Sierra Gorda said on social media.