Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) and Australian mining and metals major BHP announced on Monday that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on business cooperation.
The announcement came as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is visiting China from Saturday to Friday - including stops in Shanghai, Beijing, and later in Chengdu - which is expected to benefit businesses and the wider sectors in both countries.
Leveraging each other's advantages, CATL and BHP will explore cooperation opportunities in battery development for mining equipment and locomotives including fast recharging infrastructure, as well as energy storage systems and battery recycling, according to a press release CATL sent to the Global Times.
To boost the electrification transformation of mining operations through employing integrated and comprehensive solutions, the two business giants aim to create a replicable green transformation model for the global mining industry, the press release noted.
"CATL is a global leader in advanced battery technology, energy storage solutions, and battery recycling and is a natural partner for BHP. Working with organizations such as CATL, BHP is continuing to seek solutions that can drive a more efficient and sustainable future for the resources industry," Rashpal Bhatti, BHP Group Procurement Officer, was quoted as saying.
According to BHP, through this MOU, BHP intends to work with CATL to identify pathways for electrification at its mining operations. The collaboration will also focus on opportunities to advance the circular economy by enhancing battery recycling processes, especially leveraging BHP's copper operations to establish more sustainable value chains within the mining sector.
"We are excited to collaborate with BHP, a global leader sharing our commitment to driving the energy transition to a net zero-carbon future," said Tan Libin, CATL Head of Overseas Business.
"Together with forward-thinking resources companies like BHP, we aim to demonstrate how advanced battery technologies can decarbonize mining operations, logistics, and product delivery, accelerating a more sustainable, efficient future while creating long-term value and transforming the global resources industry through innovation," Tan said.
On Monday, Albanese will meet with some of the top players in China's steel industry and several Australian corporate CEOs - including Rio Tinto's Kellie Parker, BHP's Geraldine Slattery and Fortescue's Andrew Forrest - for a roundtable on green steel, Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC) reported on Monday.
