Rio Tinto will develop Pongamia seed farms in Australia as part of a new biofuels pilot initiative.
The project will explore the potential of Pongamia seed oil as a feedstock for renewable diesel, a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuels. At the same time, the initiative aims to contribute to a new biofuel sector in Australia.
Rio Tinto is in the final stages of acquiring approximately 3000 hectares of cleared land near Townsville in north Queensland to establish farms to study growth conditions and measure seed oil yields.
To deliver the project, Rio has partnered with Miday Limited, which will oversee the planting and management of the seed farms.
Midway will engage with nurseries, agricultural experts and research organisations throughout the pilot, and prioritise opportunities for Traditional Owners and local communities.
“Diesel accounts for around 10 percent of our emissions footprint in Australia,” Rio Tinto chief decarbonisation officer Jonathon McCarthy said.
“While we continue to pursue electrification as the long-term solution for displacing the majority of our diesel use, the Pongamia seed pilot is an important parallel pathway that could reduce our reliance on diesel in the mid-term.
“It also presents a compelling option for other applications that are challenging to electrify, including blasting and non-haul equipment.”
But McCarthy said that Australia does not yet have a sufficient biofuel feedstock industry to meet domestic demands.
“A sustainable biofuels industry here could enhance the region’s fuel security, create local economic opportunities, and contribute to emissions reductions targets,” he said.
“We are excited about the potential of the Pongamia seed pilot and look forward to partnering with Midway Limited and north Queensland communities.”
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