How Western Australia is Leading the World in Autonomous Mining Operations.

As technology advanced, I noticed that the mining industry was becoming more automated. Autonomous trucks capable of operating without human drivers were being introduced at an increasing number of mine sites. These trucks were remotely controlled from a centralised control room, where operators could monitor their performance and intervene if necessary.

I decided to change careers and applied for a position in the control room. I was fortunate enough to be hired and went through extensive training to learn how to operate the self-driving trucks. The job was still on a FIFO schedule, but instead of two weeks on and one week off, it was eight days on and six days off. The working environment was also very different from that of a truck driver. Instead of being out in the field, I was sitting in an air-conditioned office, in front of a computer screen.

Driving a truck required a different set of skills than working in a control room. As I had to manage multiple trucks at once, deal with technical issues, and respond to changing situations, I had to be more analytical, attentive, and adaptable. It was also a more collaborative job, as I had to collaborate with other operators, engineers, and supervisors.

Western Australia’s mining industry is one of the most advanced and innovative in the world, particularly when it comes to adopting new technologies. One of the most recent trends is the use of self-driving trucks, which can transport ore and materials without human intervention.

Autonomous trucks have numerous advantages for the mining industry, including:

Western Australia’s mining industry is constantly evolving and innovating. There are numerous opportunities for further development and improvement in Western Australia, which leads the world in autonomous operations.

The impact of remote control centres on mining operations

Mining is a complex and difficult industry that necessitates meticulous planning and coordination of various processes and resources. The control centre, which oversees and manages mine site activities such as pit operations, plant operations, port operations, drill operations, and rail operations, is an important aspect of mining. Traditionally, these control centres were located at or near mine sites, resulting in long distances and harsh working conditions. However, as technology and communication systems have advanced, many mining companies have relocated their control centres to urban areas such as Perth, which is approximately 1500 kilometres from some of Western Australia’s mine sites. Workers can now enjoy a better work-life balance because they can return home at the end of each shift rather than flying in and out of remote locations (FIFO). The workers continue to work 12.5 hour shifts, both day and night, because the control centres are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The rosters differ depending on the company, but they are typically of even length, such as three days on, three days off, or three days on, three nights on, and six days off.

I’ve been a pit controller for over ten years and have seen a lot of changes in this position. I’ve witnessed not only the transition from manned to autonomous trucks, but also the evolution of what we pit controllers need to monitor and optimise. Prior to the implementation of fleet management systems, our primary goal was to move as much ore as possible from the pit to the crusher, train, and ship waiting in port to be shipped to China. Moving ore remains our primary goal because it is what generates revenue for the company. We are, however, doing it much more efficiently and intelligently than in the past. Instead of randomly assigning trucks to diggers and allowing them to queue for loading or dumping, we now use data and algorithms to optimise truck allocation and routeing. We strive to reduce queue time (the amount of time a truck spends waiting for a digger to load) and hang time (the time a digger spends waiting for a truck to arrive).

Rio Tinto is a pioneer in the implementation of autonomous trucks, operating a fleet of more than 193 autonomous trucks across their iron ore mines in Western Australia. Since 2012, the company claims that its autonomous trucks have moved over one billion tonnes of material and increased productivity by 15%.

Fortescue Metals Group, for example, has deployed 137 autonomous trucks across its iron ore operations in Western Australia. According to the company, its self-driving trucks have increased safety performance by 30%, reduced fuel consumption by 20%, and increased productivity by 32%.

Autonomous trucks are used not only for mining, but also for long-distance transportation of goods.

TuSimple, a US-based company, recently completed a trial of using an autonomous truck to deliver watermelons from Arizona to Oklahoma City. By 2024, the company hopes to have a fleet of driverless trucks in place.

Autonomous trucks are a present reality that is changing the way we mine and transport goods. They provide significant benefits to the mining industry and beyond, but they also raise some concerns and questions, such as:

These are some of the issues that must be addressed as autonomous trucks become more common. One thing is certain: autonomous trucks are here to stay, and they are transforming the mining industry in Western Australia and elsewhere.