Liebherr: ammonia fuel for the mining sector

By Julian Atchison on October 07, 2024

New partnership with Bruno Generators

A Liebherr-built R 9400 electric excavator in operation for Fortescue in Australia.

Click to learn more. A Liebherr-built R 9400 electric excavator in operation for Fortescue in Australia. Liebherr and Italy-based Bruno Generators will explore ammonia fuel for power generation in the mining sector, including to supply heavy vehicles. Source: Liebherr.

Liebherr and Italy-based Bruno Generators will embark on a joint development project exploring ammonia fuel for power generation in the mining sector. Bruno specialises in the design and manufacture of off-grid power generators for a range of applications, including telecom and industrial lighting. Bruno’s product line includes a number of battery hybrid generators.

The new partnership builds from Liebherr’s own internal trials with ammonia fuel (with “promising results”), while Libeherr and MAHLE have already explored the use of hydrogen fuel in heavy vehicle engines. MAHLE Powertrain, Clean Air Power and the University of Nottingham led development of a demonstration, heavy-duty ammonia engine designed for off-road UK construction vehicles in 2022. Liebherr and Fortescue have also been in a long-standing partnership for electrified mining operations, with a 475-vehicle contract signed last month.

Green ammonia generators could provide a reduced emission method of alleviating energy variations or blackouts on site while mobile off-board power units running on green ammonia could power electric excavators just outside the pit, reducing both emissions and infrastructure requirements.

Details from Liebherr’s official press release, 24 Sept 2024

When our combustion engines business unit saw promising results from ammonia as a low and zero emission power source after multiple test bench runs, we were excited to see how we could capitalise on this to provide even more ways our customers can pursue zero emissions.

Oliver Weiss, Executive Vice President (R&D, Engineering and Production), Liebherr-Mining Equipment SAS in his organisation’s official press release, 24 Sept 2024