Anglo American launched Chile's first hydrogen plant for zero-carbon vehicles, as part of the company's Sustainable Mining Plan, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality in its operations in Chile by 2030.

The launch of this initiative was carried out at the Las Tórtolas plant, Colina commune.

"This represents a gigantic opportunity for our country, because today we are taking a new step forward in matters as important as clean energy, protection of nature and combating climate change. (…) Green hydrogen is a clean fuel, which can be transported, which is competitive and which is also sustainable and will allow us a huge reduction in CO₂ emissions in our country," said the President of the Republic, Sebastián Piñera.

This hydropower plant has generated the first green hydrogen molecule (H₂V) to be used in zero-carbon vehicles in the country. Through an electrolyzer with a production capacity of 2 kg of H₂ per day, gaseous hydrogen is dispensed to a forklift that is driven by clean energy generated by a fuel cell, in addition this pilot project incorporates a fuel cell stationary, which re-injects energy into the operation's electrical grid.

H₂ is generated from reused water from the same mining process, demineralizing it. This discharge is the supply of the electrolyzer, where the electrolysis of the water is carried out, delivering hydrogen as the main product and oxygen as a by-product, which is returned to the atmosphere. The electrical energy necessary for the operation of the hydro-generator comes from two solar plants built inside Las Tórtolas, one of them installed on a tailings deposit and that generates 86 kW; and another that generates 100 kW and uses bifacial technology.

"Mining will probably be the most important source of demand for green hydrogen at the local level and, therefore, the commitment of mining to green hydrogen will accelerate the development of this industry that has tremendous potential for our country," said Biminister of Mining and Energy, Juan Carlos Jobet. 

The hydro-generation plant inaugurated in Las Tórtolas is part of a robust plan for the innovation and development of new technologies that Anglo American is promoting in Chile, in order to achieve cleaner mining, which reduces its environmental footprint, and which is also considered by the Integrated Center of Remote Operation of Los Bronces (IROC), the first largest fleet of intercity electric buses in South America, the creation of a digital twin of Los Bronces, and the first photovoltaic plant on a tailings deposit in the world, among others.

Anglo American is also developing the world's first green hydrogen powered mining truck in South Africa, with a view to bringing this technology into operation within two years. This pilot will be implemented in the Mogalakwena operation.