Brazilian mining large Vale has introduced additional progress in its journey to scale back the usage of fossil fuels in its operations. The corporate has begun area exams with haul vehicles utilizing B30 and B50 biodiesel, which it says might result in a discount in emissions of as much as 35% in comparison with the diesel at present consumed by Vale in Brazil. A brand new part of testing of an electrical haul truck, which started in 2022, has additionally began.
The corporate is in search of to extend the biodiesel mix in haul vehicles from the present 15%, established by Brazilian regulation, to a share of 30% to 50%. Lab exams performed since 2023 it says have proven that the choice is promising, which led Vale in November 2025 to maneuver ahead with area exams on the Mariana Complicated in Minas Gerais, Brazil, with autos with a capability of 150 tons. The picture Vale included with the discharge confirmed a Caterpillar 150 ton class 785 truck geared up to make use of B30 biodiesel.
The objective of the exams is to monitor the vehicles’ efficiency for a minimum of six months and assess what changes might be wanted to the automobile or gasoline in order that they’ll run on a better biodiesel mix whereas sustaining efficiency near present ranges.
“The technique for decarbonising industrial operations relies on the combination of a number of applied sciences and power routes. To mitigate fossil diesel consumption within the haul truck fleet, investments in biofuels and ethanol are being prioritised, along with the adoption of electrification methods in particular functions, the place technical and financial feasibility evaluation demonstrates larger operational effectivity,” says Carlos Medeiros, Govt Vice President of Operations. “Biodiesel, after validation of efficiency parameters, has the potential to advertise vital environmental beneficial properties and function a reference for large-scale adoption within the sector.”
Along with biodiesel, Vale has signed agreements with two of its essential suppliers of haul vehicles – Caterpillar and Komatsu – to develop dual-fuel engines powered by ethanol and diesel. Each biodiesel, produced primarily from soybean oil, and ethanol are merchandise wherein Brazil affords a big aggressive benefit.
Vale has additionally begun a brand new part of testing an XCMG battery-powered electrical haul truck – the XDR80TE with a load capability of 72 tons, which started to be evaluated in 2022. With the teachings realized within the first part, the automobile producer made changes and, this November 2025, the truck returned to the corporate for a brand new spherical of testing. The automobile might be used for a minimum of six months on the Capão Xavier mine in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Its efficiency and operational effectivity might be evaluated. Among the many benefits supplied by electrical autos are zero CO2 emissions and lowered noise.
“Within the technological improvement course of, you will need to take a look at, study classes, make changes, and take a look at once more till we obtain the best consequence. We see electrification as an answer with the potential to scale back carbon emissions in the long run,” says João Turchetti, Director of Decarbonisation at Vale.
Vale has set a objective of decreasing its scope 1 and a pair of carbon emissions (direct and oblique) by 33% by 2030 and attaining net-zero emissions by 2050. By 2024, the corporate can have invested R$ 1.4 billion to attain its targets.
