UK mining company cuts CO2 emissions using biodiesel blend

Photo: Argent Energy

Banks Mining, a long-established mining and quarrying company, has partnered with biodiesel supplier Argent Energy to lower carbon emissions from its mining operations.

Known for surface mining, Banks operates one of the U.K.’s largest wholly owned fleets of earthmoving machinery.

The company is phasing out standard fossil diesel in favor of Dieselite, making a significant step in reducing its carbon footprint.

A total of 2,084 metric tons of CO2 has been reduced through the switch to Dieselite.

This represents around a 17 percent reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions in 2025 compared with standard fossil diesel.

The reduction has been achieved through a gradual transition across the Dieselite range: beginning with Dieselite B10 (10 percent biodiesel), then moving to Dieselite B16 (16 percent) and Dieselite B20 (20 percent) and increasing to Dieselite B30 (30 percent) across its mining operations.

This means the company has replaced up to 30 percent of standard fossil diesel with biodiesel made from waste without affecting performance or reliability on site.

The biodiesel used in Dieselite is produced at Argent Energy’s Stanlow facility using only certified end-of-life waste materials.

When used as an alternative to fossil diesel, it can cut CO2 emissions by up to 90 percent.

“Supporting customers on their decarbonization journeys is something we’re proud to be part of,” said Colin Duke, head of sales at Argent Energy. “Banks Mining has made a major step by cutting emissions in a hard-to-decarbonize sector and is proof of what can be done now to reduce emissions.”

Gemma Dickenson, contracts director at Banks Mining, added, “Reducing our environmental impact is a key focus for us that requires creativity, innovation and flexible thinking. We’re actively looking to introduce new technologies and approaches that have the potential to help turn plans into tangible environmental gains. The support we are getting from Argent Energy and its Dieselite fuel is an important step in reducing our environmental impact and assisting our customers in achieving their own environmental goals while continuing to provide reliable and safe mineral operations.”

The move to Dieselite forms part of Banks Mining’s broader sustainability strategy, which includes investment in equipment compatible with both biofuels and electrification.

The collaboration highlights how waste-based fuel solutions like Dieselite can deliver real emissions reductions in hard-to-decarbonize sectors.

It supports national decarbonization goals and shows that meaningful progress is possible using solutions available today.