Up close with the 300 tonne driverless trucks

Quotes

• “The data clearly shows that, through automation, we’ve got a significantly safer business.” – Matthew Holcz, managing director of Rio Tinto’s Pilbara mines.

• “I still put holes in the ground… just without the dust, the noise and being away from the family.” – Jess Cowie, former manual driller now directing autonomous drills.

Image descriptions

• A photo of a 300-tonne driverless truck at work on the mine site.

• A picture of the Rio Tinto Operations Centre in Perth, which monitors and coordinates the company’s Pilbara iron ore operations.

• An image of “Henry,” the autonomous water cart used to keep dust down on the mine roads.

Employment Opportunities

While automation may have changed employment opportunities in the mining industry, it does not seem to have resulted in job losses. Instead, truck drivers have been redeployed as controllers themselves, reskilled to operate different pieces of equipment, or moved to drive manual trucks at other sites.

Global Significance and Trend

Rio Tinto’s use of autonomous technology is a global trend, with over 2,000 self-driving haul trucks worldwide. The company’s scale in implementing this technology gives it significant global importance.

Quotes from Experts

• “Automation is delivering a ‘step change’ in terms of safety in the mining industry.” – Robin Burgess-Limerick, professor at the University of Queensland.

A look at Rio Tinto’s advanced autonomous truck fleet in Western Australia

Rio Tinto’s Greater Nammuldi iron ore mine is home to a fleet of over 50 self-driving trucks, which operate independently on pre-defined courses. The company has also introduced an autonomous water cart, affectionately known as “Henry,” to keep the dust down on the mine roads.

Key points

• Rio Tinto’s Greater Nammuldi iron ore mine in Western Australia has a fleet of over 50 self-driving trucks.

• The trucks are equipped with lasers and radars to detect collision risks and obstacles, and can be stopped remotely by pressing an emergency button.

• The autonomous trucks have improved safety and productivity at the mine, with no job losses due to automation so far.

• Redeployment has been a key strategy for Rio Tinto, with truck drivers joining the Operations Centre as controllers or being reskilled to operate different equipment.

• Automation is delivering a “step change” in terms of safety in the mining industry, according to Professor Robin Burgess-Limerick.

Statistics

• The number of self-driving haul trucks worldwide has roughly quadrupled over the past four years to more than 2,000.

• Rio Tinto’s Operations Centre in Perth monitors and coordinates over 360 self-driving trucks across its Pilbara iron ore operations.

• Autonomous equipment can improve productivity by up to 15%, according to Matthew Holcz, managing director of Rio Tinto’s Pilbara mines.

Safety and Productivity Improvements in Mining Industry

The Greater Nammuldi iron ore mine, operated by Rio Tinto, has a fleet of more than 50 self-driving trucks that operate independently on pre-defined courses. This technology has improved physical safety and productivity for the workforce.

Autonomous Trucks Features

• Equipped with lasers and radars front and rear to detect collision risks

• Sensors also detect obstacles, such as large rocks or debris, and can stop the vehicle if necessary

• Fitted with a big red emergency button that can stop the system in case of an emergency

Monitoring and Control Room

The autonomous trucks are monitored at a control room in Perth, where controllers oversee the operation of the vehicles. This allows for real-time monitoring and intervention if needed.

Benefits of Automation

• Improved physical safety for the workforce

• Increased productivity due to reduced gaps between shifts or breaks

• Autonomous trucks can go faster when there is less staff-operated equipment on the scene

Employment Opportunities