Bloomberg reported that Rio Tinto Group may use hybrid trains and liquefied natural gas powered trucks in a bid to reduce carbon emissions at its Australian iron ore operations by 25%.

Mr Tom Albanese CEO of Rio said that "We have made a commitment to create new power infrastructure in the Pilbara in north western Australia."

It may be noted that Rio and BHP Billiton Limited agreed in June 2009 to combine their iron ore assets in Western Australia to save more than USD 10 billion. Rio will double capital expenditure in 2010 after cutting net debt by 42% in the first 9 months of this year.

Mr Albanese said that "We are also testing the use of hybrid locomotives to haul ore from mine to port and we are considering the introduction of trucks powered by liquefied natural gas."

(Sourced from www.bloomberg.net)