MELBOURNE, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rio Tinto and Caterpillar have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Caterpillar�s development of zero-emissions autonomous haul trucks for use at one of Rio Tinto�s Western Australian mining operations.

The collaboration will see Rio Tinto work with Caterpillar to advance the development of the manufacturer�s future 220-tonne 793 zero-emissions autonomous haul truck including the validation of Caterpillar�s emerging zero-emissions technology.

Rio Tinto and Caterpillar will progress a series of development milestones to include a 793 prototype pilot program, testing and pre-production trials.

It is anticipated that the world�s first operational deployment of approximately 35 new Caterpillar 793 zero-emissions autonomous haul trucks will be at Gudai-Darri once development is complete. Gudai-Darri is Rio Tinto�s most technically advanced iron ore mine, in the Pilbara, Western Australia

Rio Tinto�s Chief Commercial Officer Alf Barrios said �Our ambition to reach net zero emissions across our operations is a priority. Reaching this ambition will require new and innovative solutions and partnerships with supplier partners like Caterpillar. This collaboration represents a small but important step on that journey.

�We look forward to working together to validate these zero-emissions haul trucks in just a few years� time. The advanced technology at Gudai-Darri puts it at the forefront of new mining operations globally and we look forward to adding Caterpillar zero-emissions haul trucks to the site.�

Caterpillar Group President Denise Johnson said, �The integration of autonomy with a zero-emissions fleet demonstrates Rio Tinto�s commitment to reach net zero emissions.

�By leveraging these technologies across their sites, Rio Tinto can more safely increase productivity, efficiency and be more sustainable. We are pleased to be part of Rio Tinto�s sustainability journey and look forward to building on our long-standing collaboration.�

In June, Rio Tinto announced it would deploy the world�s first fully autonomous water truck at Gudai-Darri, which will also be produced by Caterpillar. Rio Tinto is assessing multiple project scopes for Gudai-Darri Phase 2 as part of an ongoing $44 million pre-feasibility study.

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