The feasibility study will explore the application of Anglo American's proprietary hydrogen fuel cell and battery hybrid power units in heavy haul freight rail operations.
If the feasibility study is successful, the agreement between the two companies could be extended to further phases of collaboration, which could include detailed engineering and the development of a hydrogen fuelled heavy haul locomotive prototype.
The feasibility study will focus on the potential deployment of Anglo American's hydrogen power technology on Aurizon's Moura rail corridor, which operates between Anglo American's Dawson metallurgical coal mine and the Gladstone Port, and the Mount Isa rail corridor that operates between the North West Minerals Province and Townsville Port, via Aurizon's Stuart Terminal.
As part of its commitment to carbon neutral mines by 2040, Anglo American has taken a global lead in the development of green hydrogen solutions for its ultra-class 290 tonne payload mine haul trucking fleet.
Anglo American's combination of powertrain technologies, designed to operate safely and effectively in real-world mine conditions, will displace the use of the majority of diesel at its mining operations, with an advanced trial of the prototype truck at its Mogalakwena platinum group metals mine in South Africa.
Aurizon has a target to reach net zero operational emissions by 2050.
It has also started research and development for battery-powered trains with a number of industry parties and Australian universities.
Aurizon CEO Andrew Harding said hydrogen offered enormous opportunity for decarbonising and continuing to improve the competitiveness of Australia's export supply chains.
"This is especially true for bulk products underpinning the Australian economy including minerals, agricultural products and fertilisers, industrials and general freight," he said.
"Zero-carbon hydrogen-powered trains would also significantly boost the current environmental benefits of transporting more of Australia's bulk freight on rail. Rail freight already produces up to 16 times less carbon pollution per tonne kilometre than road.
"Aurizon is excited to be teaming up with Anglo American on this project, particularly given their success to date in developing unique technology solutions for use in mine haul fleets."
Anglo American Metallurgical Coal CEO Tyler Mitchelson said the miner had committed to carbon neutral operations by 2040, and was aiming to reduce its Scope 3 emissions by 50% in the same timeframe.
"We know that we cannot achieve all of this alone, so we are working with partners along our value chains and outside our industry to find technical solutions to decarbonise," he said.
"This collaboration with Aurizon is a great example of the power of partnerships to help address the urgent issue of climate change, while we also look to catalyse new markets to support the development and growth of the hydrogen economy."
Anglo American technical director Tony O'Neill said the agreement with Aurizon marked the first time the company's hydrogen power technology would be tested beyond the company's existing mine haul truck program.
"Displacing our use of diesel is critical to eliminating emissions at our sites and along our value chain," he said.
"We believe that our innovative hydrogen-led technology provides a versatile solution, whether for trucks or trains or other forms of heavy duty transport."
Queensland minister for energy renewables and hydrogen Mick de Brenni said the project showed yet again the way renewable energy and the burgeoning hydrogen industry meant more jobs in more industries for more Queenslanders.
"Projects like this are important because they enable domestic demand and create an ecosystem for green hydrogen," he said.
"Transport accounts for 14% of emissions and is the fastest growing sector for emissions.
"However, we recognise that transport can lead the emissions reduction push if we move quickly with initiatives like this one."
