Diesel, Dust and Deadlines: Mining's 2026 Diesel Compliance Guide

Australia's mining sector faces unprecedented regulatory pressure to cut carbon emissions and diesel particulate matter. Renewable diesel (HVO) offers the fastest path to compliance - delivering zero Scope 1 emissions as a drop-in replacement for conventional diesel.

Federal Rules: The Safeguard Mechanism

At a national level, large mining facilities emitting over 100,000 tonnes CO₂-e annually must comply with the Safeguard Mechanism. Facilities must keep net emissions at or below their allocated baseline. Excess emissions require purchasing carbon credits - an ongoing cost that a switch to renewable diesel would eliminate.

NSW Mining Regulations: The Benchmark

NSW EPA is introducing mandatory climate conditions for Environment Protection Licences covering facilities emitting more than 25,000 tonnes CO₂-e annually, requiring Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Plans (CCMAPs) with detailed emissions reduction pathways.

Coal Mine Renewable Fuel Targets:

The NSW EPA's Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Guide for Coal Mines sets progressive mandates for diesel replacement by low-carbon liquid fuels like renewable diesel:

• 5% low-carbon fuel by 2030

• 10% low-carbon fuel by 2035

• 25% low-carbon fuel by 2040

These targets are still in proposal stage, but they are already being factored into mine fuel procurement planning.

Other States Watching NSW's Lead:

Victoria's EPA has flagged greenhouse emissions from mining as a priority risk under the General Environmental Duty. Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Northern Territory currently rely on the federal Safeguard Mechanism and project-specific conditions, but are watching NSW's regulatory model closely. Expect similar diesel and carbon requirements to roll out across mining states by over 2026-2028.

Diesel Particulate Matter: The Health & Safety Crackdown

By December 2026 Safe Work Australia will have adopted new Workplace Exposure Limits, replacing the previous Workplace Exposure Standards. Facilities must ensure that no person in the workplace is exposed to airbone contaminants above the exposure limits. The limits include:

• NEW diesel particulate matter limit: 0.01 mg/m³ (respirable elemental carbon, 8-hour TWA).

• Significant reductions in carbon monoxide, nitric oxide and sulphur dioxide limits.

The new particulate matter limit represents a ten-fold reduction from current practice in many operations. Meeting this limit typically requires expensive ventilation upgrades or engine retrofits - unless you switch to renewable diesel. Renewable diesel has:

• Significantly less ash content and carbon residue

• Lower carbon monoxide due to more complete combustion

• Lower NOx and aromatics

• Near zero sulphur content

Why Renewable Diesel (HVO) is the Smart Choice for Mines

Immediate Compliance Benefits:

✓ Zero Scope 1 emissions from diesel combustion

✓ Meets NSW EPA low-carbon fuel targets immediately

✓ Significant reduction in diesel particulate matter

✓ Drop-in replacement - no engine modifications or fleet changes

✓ Works in all diesel equipment: haul trucks, dozers, generators, light vehicles

Financial Benefits:

✓ Avoid capital costs of engine retrofits and ventilation upgrades

✓ Eliminate carbon credit purchases for Scope 1 diesel emissions

✓ Future-proof your operation as diesel phase-out accelerates

✓ Superior cold-weather performance and longer engine life

Take Action Now

RD2Go supplies renewable diesel (HVO) to Australian mining operations, delivering zero Scope 1 emissions, compliance with NSW EPA targets, and a significant reduction in diesel particulate matter. Don’t wait - give us a call to discuss how renewable diesel could form part of your 2026 fuel procurement strategy.

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Frequently Asked Questions - Renewable Diesel + Mining

Q: What is renewable diesel (HVO)?

A: Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) is a premium fuel made from renewable feedstocks. It's chemically identical to fossil diesel but produces zero Scope 1 emissions. Unlike biodiesel, HVO requires no engine modifications. For more information, click on the following links:

• What is the difference between Renewable diesel and bio-diesel?

• What is the difference between Renewable diesel and fossil diesel?

Q: Does renewable diesel really deliver zero emissions?

A: Renewable diesel delivers zero Scope 1 emissions from combustion in accordance with Australia's National Greenhouse Accounts Factors published by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). This means emissions from burning renewable diesel in vehicles, equipment, and generators are counted as zero for regulatory reporting under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) scheme and the Safeguard Mechanism.

Q: What are the new diesel particulate matter (PM) limits and does renewable diesel use reduce PM?

A: Safe Work Australia has introduced a new Workplace Exposure Limit of 0.01 mg/m³ (respirable elemental carbon, 8-hour TWA) effective 1 December 2026. This represents a ten-fold reduction from previous practice and applies to all Australian workplaces including mining operations. Independent studies confirm renewable diesel (HVO) delivers substantial particulate matter reductions critical for upcoming Australian mining compliance. A 2022 study on legacy off-road engines (Cummins QSB4.5) found HVO reduced PM mass by 27–58% and particle number by 14–50% across transient and steady-state cycles compared to fossil diesel, with no engine modifications. Similarly, MTU's 2024 heavy-duty engine tests showed 30–40% PM cuts upstream of diesel particulate filters, proving HVO's cleaner combustion benefits both older mining fleets and modern equipment as Safe Work Australia's 0.01 mg/m³ diesel particulate limit takes effect December 2026. These reductions position renewable diesel as an immediate compliance lever for tightening PM workplace exposure limits and NSW EPA emissions targets.

Q: Will renewable diesel void my engine warranties?

A: RD2Go's HVO meets EN15940 and Australia's paraffinic diesel standards, the standards approved by all major mining equipment manufacturers with full warranty coverage including: CAT, Cummins, Deutz, Komatsu, Kubota, Liebherr, Mack, MTU and Volvo. HVO works in all mining diesel equipment: haul trucks (rigid and articulated), excavators, wheel loaders, bulldozers, graders, drill rigs, auxiliary equipment, light vehicles, and generators. Contact us for further information on specific OEM approvals.

Q: Can I mix renewable diesel with conventional diesel?

A: Yes, HVO can be blended at any ratio with conventional diesel, making it easy to phase in gradually and meet NSW EPA low-carbon fuel percentage targets over time.