Autonomous vehicles: How mines control driverless trucks

Published On Nov 7, 2024, 7:03 PM

This article explores Rio Tinto's use of autonomous trucks at their Greater Nammuldi iron ore mine in Western Australia. The mine operates a fleet of over 50 driverless trucks, which have improved productivity by approximately 15% and enhanced safety for workers. Automation in Rio Tinto's operations, which began in the late 2000s, allows for more efficient mining without gaps due to staff changes. While automation has raised concerns about job loss, employees have been successfully redeployed to new roles. With global trends indicating a significant rise in the number of autonomous vehicles in mining, Rio Tinto stands at the forefront of this technological evolution.