In Chile, Mining.com reported that mining company Antofagasta will become the first mining company to use a hydrogen-powered locomotive in South America, as part of the firm’s efforts to develop alternatives to fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make mining more sustainable.
FCAB, the miner’s rail transport division, unveiled this week the hydrogen-powered train that will connect Antofagasta city and the regional port starting in 2025, according to the report.
“This milestone will allow us to learn about this new fuel, which only emits water vapour and hot air, unlike diesel. We want to explore other possible uses of this fuel in the future, when the technology is more mature,” Antofagasta CEO Iván Arriagada said.
The 1,000-kilowatt train, developed by Chinese locomotive manufacturer CRRC Qishuyan, features a high-capacity battery and a 35 MPa on-board hydrogen storage system. Its lightweight design reduces the overall weight by approximately 30 tons compared to other hydrogen models, according to the report.
“Our commitment to the community of Antofagasta and to our clients means we explore all available technologies to progressively reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and, in this way, contribute to combatting climate change,” David Fernández, FCAB general manager, noted.
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Tags: Antofagasta, Chile, hydrogen
Category: Fuels
