In a landmark development for green technology, New Zealand-based Fabrum, an industry leader in zero-emission transition technologies, has successfully partnered with Australian mining giant Fortescue to design, build and commission the largest liquid hydrogen plant at a mine site in Australia. This state-of-the-art facility, unveiled in August at Fortescue’s Christmas Creek mine, represents a significant step forward in the decarbonization of heavy industry and mining operations.

The facility, which includes a hydrogen liquefaction plant, storage capabilities and a liquid hydrogen refueling station, is designed to produce approximately 350 kilograms of liquid hydrogen per day, with a storage capacity of 600 kilograms. The plant’s output will power Fortescue’s zero-emissions mining equipment prototypes, such as the Offboard Power Unit and the hydrogen-powered haul truck. This initiative marks a bold leap toward Fortescue’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions and reinforces its leadership in the green industrial revolution.

Fabrum Executive Chair Christopher Boyle shared his enthusiasm for the project and emphasized the pivotal role of hydrogen in creating a sustainable future. “We’re delighted to be developing world-leading hydrogen technologies for our partner, Fortescue, to help the company achieve its decarbonization goals. While others in the industry might see the decarbonization challenge as too big, Fortescue is leading the way in adopting new technologies to enable a zero emissions economy. Together, we’re demonstrating that the future is here now.”

Fortescue, headquartered in Western Australia, has long been at the forefront of environmental innovation. “Fortescue is moving at rapid speed to decarbonize, and the completion of our hydrogen facility, which is the largest gaseous and liquid hydrogen plant on any mine site in Australia, is testament to our commitment to leading heavy industry in decarbonizing,” Fortescue Metals Chief Executive Officer Dino Otranto stated, echoing Boyle’s sentiments and highlighting the significance of the new facility. Otrano also emphasized hydrogen's potential to decarbonize mining processes, from powering buses and heavy mining equipment to producing green iron.

Fabrum Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ojas Mahapatra, acknowledged the long-term potential of the collaboration with Fortescue. “This is the first project we’ve collaborated on with Fortescue, and it highlights the great opportunities we see to help each other be successful in the future. This project also represents our entry into the mining and minerals industry, which complements our work in heavy transport, aviation, and other sectors,” he noted.

For more than two decades, Fabrum has been at the cutting edge of cryogenic and hydrogen technology. The company's cryocooler technology is integral to hydrogen liquefaction plants, refueling stations and mobility solutions across multiple industries, from aviation to heavy transport. With a focus on sustainability, Fabrum has applied its innovations to create a cleaner future for industries across the globe.

Fortescue’s ambitions are no less bold. As one of the world’s largest iron ore producers, the company aims to achieve net-zero terrestrial emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 2030, driven by its portfolio of green hydrogen and ammonia projects. This partnership with Fabrum reinforces Fortescue’s mission to decarbonize mining and other hard-to-abate sectors, signaling a new era for industrial-scale hydrogen adoption.

As Fabrum and Fortescue embrace a future moving toward zero emissions, this latest hydrogen plant is set to become a global benchmark for clean energy technology. By harnessing hydrogen’s potential, the collaboration is helping to reshape how industries power their operations and demonstrating that decarbonization, once seen as a challenge, is now a reality. www.fabrum.nz

Image: Fabrum's 10,000-L customized liquid hydrogen storage solution. Credit: Fabrum

Fabrum's 10,000-L customized liquid hydrogen storage solution. Credit: Fabrum