Anglo American’s copper division in Chile has opened the country’s first green hydrogen fueling station for zero-emission vehicles.
The project, located in Anglo American’s Las Tórtolas flotation facility in the Colina region north of Santiago, would generate green hydrogen using reclaimed water from the mining process and solar energy generated on-site by two solar farms.
The project, which is a first for Chile due to the country’s ambitious green hydrogen production goals, is also part of Anglo American’s sustainable mining strategy in Chile, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality in its operations by 2030.
“This represents a gigantic opportunity for our country, because today we are taking a new step forward in important matters including clean energy, protection of the environment and combating climate change,” said President Sebastián Piñera at the launch.
“Chile is going to become a leader and pioneer country in this new green hydrogen industry which, in addition to being an opportunity for growth, jobs, salaries and progress, is going to make an enormous contribution to winning the battle against this climate crisis.”
The hydrogen electrolyser produces 2kg of hydrogen each day, which is distributed via a zero-emission drive forklift. Additionally, the project includes a stationary fuel cell that injects energy back into the local power system.
Along with these Chilean initiatives, Anglo American is constructing the world’s first green hydrogen-powered mining truck in South Africa, with the goal of implementing the technology in Chile within two years.
Anglo American has a long-standing commitment to hydrogen as a founding member of the World Hydrogen Council, which works to advance the role of hydrogen in a future green economy through research and demonstration of associated technologies.
