Cummins supports mining customer Rio Tinto in their transition to renewable diesel

At a press event on October 29, 2024, Cummins Inc. was in attendance to applaud customer Rio Tinto as they announced that Kennecott — home to the world’s deepest open pit mine — would fully transition all heavy machinery from conventional to renewable diesel.

“We’re thrilled to see Rio Tinto reach this significant milestone in reducing its carbon footprint,” said Ginger Lirette, Cummins Mining End-User Accounts Manager, who was on site for the event. “Leveraging clean fuels like renewable diesel offer an immediate opportunity to reduce emissions from existing mining fleets, and Rio Tinto has proven the viability of this decarbonization pathway.”  

During the press address, Nate Foster, Managing Director, Rio Tinto Kennecott, cited partnership with Cummins has been critical to the success of this transition. “I want to recognize our partners Cummins, who spearheaded the trial alongside us, and now HF Sinclair, who’s helped implement the full use of renewable diesel today. This is all possible because of your enthusiasm and willingness to collaborate with us during this process.”

This announcement follows a collaborative seven-month trial at Rio Tinto Kennecott’s Bingham Canyon mine, fueling 4 Komatsu 930-SE haul trucks powered with Cummins QSK78 engines, with both HPI and MCRS fuel systems.

Following the successful trial with Rio Tinto alongside other technical evaluations, Cummins announced approval of unblended renewable diesel for use in all industrial high-horsepower engines.

Compared to conventional diesel, the use of renewable diesel can serve as a drop-in replacement, as well as:

• Reduce well-to-work greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions up to 90%
• Reduce tailpipe emissions of particulate matter and smoke up to 50%
• Experience on ~98-99% 1-2% power loss
• Provide no impact to service/maintenance intervals
• Be stored for longer duration

Rio Tinto’s Kennecott transition to renewable diesel will include their entire fleet of haul trucks and heavy machinery equipment, including 84 Komatsu 930-SE haul trucks powered with Cummins QSK78 engines.

Cummins Bridge Technologies

In recent months, Cummins has shared its Destination Zero strategy for mining, which includes further development of two bridge pathways: hybrid and clean fuel capabilities.

“While customers like Rio Tinto with access to renewable diesel can already make significant strides in reducing emissions, we intend to expand opportunities for miners with access to clean ethanol or methanol,” said John Essegbey, Cummins Mining Market Sensing & Innovation Manager. “Specifically, dual-fuel systems provide flexibility for engines to run at varying diesel substitution rates based on fuel availability and performance needs.”