Analysis of the Competitiveness of Green Hydrogen for Heavy-Duty Transport in Peruvian Mining

The objective of this research was to assess the competitiveness of green hydrogen as an energy alternative for heavy-duty mining transport in Peru. To this end, renewable electricity generation costs were analyzed to estimate the Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) under different scenarios. The results showed that, under projected 2026 renewable energy prices, green hydrogen could reach an LCOH of 2.99 USD/kg using solar and 3.31 USD/kg using wind. These values were calculated considering projected LCOEs of 12.5 USD/MWh for solar and 18.4 USD/MWh for wind, derived from historical trends and Peru's high renewable potential. Operational cost simulations showed that hydrogen-powered trucks would require 86.71 USD per 100 km, compared to 1 3 8. 9 5 USD for diesel, resulting in 3 7. 6 \% savings. This would reduce the copper cash cost by 5%, from 1.00 to 0.95 USD/lb. Finally, replacing diesel trucks with hydrogen ones could reduce sectoral CO₂ emissions from 1. 3 MtCO_2 to 0. 2 MtCO_2, an 84% reduction. These findings confirmed the technical and economic viability of green hydrogen for decarbonizing Peruvian mining logistics.