BHP to explore battery partnerships with CATL, BYD

BHP (NYSE: BHP) has signed preliminary agreements with China’s leading battery makers, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL) and BYD’s FinDreams Battery Co. (FDB), to evaluate the use of battery-powered solutions across its global mining operations.

The partnerships will focus on developing powertrain battery systems for heavy-duty mining equipment and locomotives, fast-charging infrastructure, energy storage and battery recycling to cut diesel reliance and curb greenhouse gas emissions.

BHP and CATL will jointly research and develop battery modules for haul trucks and locomotives, particularly in Western Australia’s iron-ore corridors, while the FDB partnership will explore BYD’s commercial and light vehicles for site-level mobility and flash-charging stations to displace diesel use.

Emissions targets

The initiatives form part of BHP’s medium-term goal to cut operational emissions by at least 30% by 2030 from 2020 levels, and its long-range ambition to reach net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050.

“This relationship is a further step towards BHP meeting our decarbonization ambitions … by joining forces with industry leaders [like BYD], we are seeking solutions to help shape a more productive and more sustainable resources industry of the future,” BHP group procurement officer Rashpal Bhatti said in a news release.

“This MOU represents a pivotal milestone for accelerating decarbonization across the global resources sector,” added Jack Li, GM of FDB’s global commercial vehicle business unit.