As part of the strategy of accelerating the use of technologies that favor renewable sources, Vale received at the end of April its second 100% electric locomotive, powered by battery. Manufactured in China by CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive, the equipment will initially operate in the Ponta da Madeira Terminal's switchyard in São Luis in MA. Its batteries, made of lithium, have a storage capacity of 1000 kWh, with autonomy to operate up to 10 hours without stops for recharging. The new equipment will go to the terminal's locomotive workshop, where it will stay for 90 days for system verification and testing. The first test in the switchyard is scheduled for July.Currently, Vale's fleet totals 490 locomotives, powered by diesel, dedicated to the transport of iron ore. The company's first all-electric machine, manufactured by Progress Rail, was received in July 2020 at Vitória-Minas Railroad.The CRRC locomotive is part of Vale's strategy to electrify its mine and railroad equipment. The two 100% electric locomotives are part of Powershift, a program created by Vale to meet the company's challenge of zeroing scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions. In addition to locomotives, the program has also carried out tests with electrical equipment in underground mines in Canada – there are currently around 40 in operation. Mine and railroad account for 25% of the company's direct carbon emissions, the so-called scope 1. In 2019, Vale announced the goal of zeroing its Scope 1 and 2 net emissions (relating to electricity consumption) by 2050. To that end, it is investing between USD 4 billion and US$ 6 billion.Vale's operational equipment electrification strategy also includes a partnership with its peers BHP and Rio Tinto. Last year, the three companies, together with another 17 mining companies, launched the “Charge On Challenge”. It is a global call for innovation aimed at entrepreneurs capable of developing solutions for electrifying large trucks used in mines.
As part of the strategy of accelerating the use of technologies that favor renewable sources, Vale received at the end of April its second 100% electric locomotive, powered by battery. Manufactured in China by CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive, the equipment will initially operate in the Ponta da Madeira Terminal's switchyard in São Luis in MA. Its batteries, made of lithium, have a storage capacity of 1000 kWh, with autonomy to operate up to 10 hours without stops for recharging. The new equipment will go to the terminal's locomotive workshop, where it will stay for 90 days for system verification and testing. The first test in the switchyard is scheduled for July.Currently, Vale's fleet totals 490 locomotives, powered by diesel, dedicated to the transport of iron ore. The company's first all-electric machine, manufactured by Progress Rail, was received in July 2020 at Vitória-Minas Railroad.The CRRC locomotive is part of Vale's strategy to electrify its mine and railroad equipment. The two 100% electric locomotives are part of Powershift, a program created by Vale to meet the company's challenge of zeroing scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions. In addition to locomotives, the program has also carried out tests with electrical equipment in underground mines in Canada – there are currently around 40 in operation. Mine and railroad account for 25% of the company's direct carbon emissions, the so-called scope 1. In 2019, Vale announced the goal of zeroing its Scope 1 and 2 net emissions (relating to electricity consumption) by 2050. To that end, it is investing between USD 4 billion and US$ 6 billion.Vale's operational equipment electrification strategy also includes a partnership with its peers BHP and Rio Tinto. Last year, the three companies, together with another 17 mining companies, launched the “Charge On Challenge”. It is a global call for innovation aimed at entrepreneurs capable of developing solutions for electrifying large trucks used in mines.
