Rio Tinto trials pongamia biofuel to cut emissions and boost rural growth

In Australia, Rio Tinto has initiated a biofuel pilot in north Queensland, Australia, to assess the viability of pongamia tree seed oil as a feedstock for renewable diesel production. Spanning 3,000 hectares of farmland and managed in partnership with Midway Limited, the project seeks to reduce the miner’s dependency on fossil fuels while advancing its decarbonisation agenda.

Pongamia, a hardy legume native to Australia, is well-suited to adverse climates and produces oil-rich seeds that can be harvested annually. Its cultivation offers dual benefits: renewable diesel derived from its seeds has a markedly lower carbon footprint than conventional diesel, while the trees sequester carbon, contributing to emissions reductions. Unlike many biofuel sources, pongamia farming minimally disturbs the land, enabling it to act as a carbon sink.

This initiative dovetails with Rio Tinto’s ambition to achieve net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050. The trial is part of the firm’s broader strategy to incorporate biofuels into its operations, particularly in hard-to-electrify sectors. Beyond its environmental benefits, the project also promises to bolster Australia’s nascent biofuel sector, offering the potential for enhanced fuel security and economic development in rural communities.