Mining vehicles to test biodiesel

Government-owned Solid Energy is to test the use of biodiesel in vehicles and machinery at its New Vale coal mine, near Gore, with the intent of rolling it out to the company's sites throughout the country.

Biodiesel New Zealand chief executive Andrew Simcock said yesterday the two-year trial, scheduled to begin later this month, would use the BioGold NZ20 blend, which was 20 per cent biodiesel and 80 per cent standard diesel.

It was the same blend as that provided at New Zealand's first biodiesel refuelling centre opened this week in Queenstown, he said.

The test would involve running a range of vehicles, from light to heavy commercial on the fuel. It was hoped to eventually run some of the mine's vehicles on B100, which was 100 per cent biodiesel.

The Government's grant for biodiesel enabled the company to supply the environmentally friendly fuel at a price comparable to standard diesel, Mr Simcock said. Biodiesel was subsidised by the Government at 42.5c a litre.

Biodiesel New Zealand, which is owned by Solid Energy, produces the high quality fuel from vegetable oil, collected from restaurants and food processors throughout New Zealand, and from oilseed rape crops.

Biodiesel is already in use in heavy machinery, fishing boats and tourism ventures.

- © Fairfax NZ News

Newest First

Oldest First