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BHP defies its own climate strategy to spend hundreds of millions on polluting diesel trucks in Pilbara

Mining giant BHP has spent over $500 million on 62 new diesel haul trucks for its Pilbara-based Jimblebar mine and plans to use diesel trucks at its proposed Ministers North mine, departing from its internal 2022 decarbonization roadmap targeting full diesel displacement by 2040. BHP cites insufficiently advanced battery-electric mining truck technology as the reason for the decision, while critics argue the company is prioritizing cost savings and federal fuel tax credits, and could drive faster zero-emission technology adoption through its procurement power.