Specialist Hexagon AB has agreed to deliver Australian-based Mineral Resources (MinRes) an autonomous haulage solution for a fleet of 120 fully autonomous road trains in Australia.
A world first, the trains are a full-site, truck-agnostic solution that will transform safety, productivity and sustainability in the region. The triple-trailer vehicles will form an essential part of the supply chain for the MinRes Onslow iron project in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
A team of operators will control the fleet, which will carry 330 tonnes of iron ore on a dedicated private haul road, from a central operating center in Onslow. MinRes said it is also developing an artificial intelligence-powered monitoring system.
“Automation will remove the risk of driver fatigue, lower operating costs and reduce fuel use and emissions. There’s enormous potential for these vehicles to transform mining across the world,” said MinRes CEO Mike Grey.
Testing of autonomous road trains has been progressing at MinRes’ Yilgarn iron ore operations since late 2021 ahead of the technology’s deployment at the Onslow iron project in mid-2024.
Sources: Hexagon and Mineral Resources