- The Iberian Belt West (IBW) mining project in Huelva will incorporate 100% renewable diesel produced by Moeve in the transportation of its mineral concentrate
- By replacing traditional fuel used in the construction and operation of this facility, this solution could reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 2,600 metric tons per year—a reduction equivalent to the annual carbon absorption of 170,000 trees
The agreement, a first in Spain, strengthens a local industrial ecosystem by combining the production of 2G biofuels, mining operations, and the export of minerals.
Moeve and Emerita Resources have 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 decarbonizing 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 kilometers.
"Accelerating the decarbonization 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 decarbonization of sectors that are difficult to electrify.”
Carlos Barrasa, executive vice president of Commercial & Clean Energies at Moeve.
For his part, Joaquin Merino, CEO of Emerita Resources, emphasized the importance of this pioneering agreement for the Spanish mining sector, which 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.”
Efficient and local energy ecosystem in Huelva
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 euros and a flexible production capacity of 500,000 metric tons 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.
