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Moeve and Emerita Resources recently signed the first agreement in Spain to deploy 100% renewable diesel (HVO) on an industrial scale within the mining sector. Through this partnership, Moeve has positioned itself as the preferred supplier of this 2G biofuel, which can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90% over its entire life cycle compared to traditional diesel.
This 2G biofuel is produced at Moeve’s facility in Palos de la Frontera (Huelva) and will be implemented in the operations of the Iberian Belt West (IBW) project, led by Emerita Resources and located in the province of Huelva, between the towns of Puebla de Guzmán and Paymogo.
Specifically, it will be used both in the heavy machinery employed for construction and operations at the complex and in the heavy-duty transport of concentrates. In addition to being key to decarbonising sectors that are difficult to electrify – such as air, maritime, and heavy-duty road transport – the main added value of using HVO lies in its compatibility with current engines.
The use of this biofuel in transportation operations during the mine’s construction and operation is estimated to prevent the emission of approximately 2,600 metric tons of CO2 annually – a reduction equivalent to the annual carbon absorption of 170,000 trees – which would allow a truck to travel a distance of three million kilometres.
“Accelerating the decarbonisation of heavy industry is one of Moeve’s key strategic priorities, and to achieve this, we need forward-thinking partners. The agreement reached with Emerita demonstrates that the energy transition can go hand in hand with competitiveness by leveraging 2G biofuels as an immediate solution for the decarbonisation of sectors that are difficult to electrify,” said Carlos Barrasa, Executive Vice President of Commercial & Clean Energies at Moeve.
For his part, Joaquin Merino, CEO of Emerita Resources, emphasised the importance of this pioneering agreement for the Spanish mining sector, which he said is “fully aligned with Emerita’s environmental DNA.” In this regard, he noted that a project like the one the company is developing in Huelva “is the ideal partner for this Moeve project as an example of sustainable mining.”
This agreement is notable for fostering a new industrial ecosystem in the province of Huelva. The proximity between renewable fuel production, mining operations, and the mineral export port enables efficient integration and creates a competitive value chain.
To ensure access to 100% renewable diesel, Moeve, together with its partner Apical, is moving forward with the construction of a new 2G biofuel plant in Huelva, which will form part of the largest second-generation biofuel complex in southern Europe. With a cumulative investment of €1.2 billion and a flexible production capacity of 500,000 t per year of HVO and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), this infrastructure is key to achieving the company’s goal of leading the Iberian market with 2.5 million metric tons per year by 2030.
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