Coalroc, Centurion deploy fully-electric skid steer loaders, truck in Mackay

With the move to decarbonise and reach zero emissions by 2050 in full swing, more fully-electric machinery has arrived down under including two skid steer loaders and a truck.

A major Mackay underground coal mining business is leading the way for zero emissions in becoming the first in Australia to import fully electric skid steer loaders.

Coalroc is the new distributor for Kovak Electric’s Elise 900 and the smaller and remote-controlled Mini Z compact loader.

Coalroc plant and equipment manager Shayne Feebrey said the environmentally-friendly machinery could use biodegradable hydraulic oil and featured lead-acid batteries as opposed to the difficult to dispose of lithium variety.

Mr Feebrey said the purchase price was similar to high end favourites such as the Caterpillar, Case and Bobcat brands, but running costs were significantly lower.

Coalroc plant and equipment manager Shayne Feebrey presenting the new Kovaco Electric skid steer loaders, the first of their kind in Australia, at the Resources Centre of Excellence in Paget. Picture: Heidi Petith

“You’ve only got your charging costs of electricity,” he said.

“The unit does an 80 per cent charge in three-and-a-half hours, a total charge to 100 per cent from zero in five hours.

“You’re looking at eight-plus continuous hours (of operation).”

Mr Feebrey said not relying on diesel meant the loaders had zero emissions and could be used indoors without added ventilation measures with the Mini Z capable of fitting through doorways.

“It’s all about bringing a zero emissions in play and we’ve got to start somewhere,” he said, adding zero-emissions underground loaders could be next on Coalroc’s horizon.

Coalroc plant and equipment manager Shayne Feebrey presenting the new Kovaco Electric skid steer loaders, the first of their kind in Australia, at the Resources Centre of Excellence in Paget. Picture: Heidi Petith

Coalroc joins other industry heavyweights in making a switch to electric-power with Centurion’s partnering with BHP to deploy Australia’s first zero-emissions truck.

The Fuso eCanter truck was unveiled at Centurion’s Mackay workshop and will reportedly reduce seven tonnes of carbon emissions entering the atmosphere each year.

Centurion CEO Justin Cardaci said they were focused on using new technologies to decarbonise across their Western Australian, Queensland and Northern Territory operations along with exploring nature-based offsets and accessing renewable energies.

Centurion CEO Justin Cardaci with the fully-electric Fuso eCanter truck thanks to a partnership with BHP. Picture: Contributed

“While we’re deploying zero emissions vehicles within our fleet, Centurion is also exploring alternative fuel supplies that will contribute to reducing our carbon footprint,” Mr Cardaci said.

BMA was also adopting green technology in rolling out electric battery vehicles at its underground Broadmeadow Mine in the Bowen Basin.

BMA president James Palmer said the company was on a journey to achieve zero emissions by 2050.