Replacing engines reduces carbon dioxide emissions

A key part of Rio Tinto Coal Australia's (RTCA's) Climate Change Plan is reducing carbon dioxide emissions across the business.

Replacing the engines on equipment, such as haul trucks and excavators, with more reliable, energy efficient engines is just one of the ways this is being achieved.

This work, known as 'engine re-powers', saved more than 4,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2007 - the equivalent to the annual emissions from 733 passenger cars - with savings set to continue through 2008 and beyond.

Engine re-powers have lowered the amount of fuel consumed and carbon emissions produced, while also increasing the life of the equipment and boosting reliability.

Mount Thorley Warkworth maintenance planner Andrew Davey said he had already seen the benefits from the project on site.

"From mid 2006 we began changing the engines on our Liebherr 240 tonne haul trucks from the older 396 series Detroit engines to the new style 4000 series," Mr Davey said.

"Since then we have seen an increase in the equipments' availability levels. The new engines can be twice as reliable than the older models and burn an average of 60 litres per hour less fuel per unit, making them better for the environment and more cost-effective."

Blair Athol Mine has seen similar benefits. Re-powered machines have been more reliable than the old engines, with each unit burning an estimated 40 to 50 litres less fuel per hour.

RTCA External Relations general manager Fiona Nicholls said the engine re-power work was just one example of the range of projects delivering energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.

"At RTCA we believe looking at ways to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and we believe that doing this will result in long term business benefits," Ms Nicholls said.

"The engine re-powers demonstrate an integrated approach to managing equipment, while also delivering positive environmental outcomes."