Epiroc says that Minetruck Automation is coming to Boliden’s Garpenberg underground zinc mine in Sweden including autonomous tramming, high-speed operation and tramming on the ramp.

“In the future, the truck will also handle long haulage distances that transition to the surface, in mixed traffic operations. Increased utilisation by continued operation over shift change and blast clearance can increase daily productivity by 20-25%. Epiroc’s Minetruck Automation in a combined operation with Scooptram Automation in seamless operation is a safe and highly productive solution,” said Vladimir Sysoev, Global Automation Lead Underground Material Handling, Epiroc.

“Ensuring safe operation is the number one focus for both Epiroc and our customers, removing the operator from the machine and placing them in the comfort and safety of a surface control room removes the health and safety risks that operators can be exposed to when working in an underground environment. Minetruck Automation also has the potential to manage the risks and impacts of global pandemics where it can facilitate continued operation by using remote workforces. This is in addition to the benefits of increased productivity and reduction in operating costs” said Andreas Ökvist, Global Automation Product Expert, Epiroc.

Minetruck Automation provides a full autonomous cycle with automated dump function and programmed routes. One operator can control both loaders and trucks from the same operator station. The Minetruck can be operated in a mixed fleet of autonomous vehicles from various OEMs through the Epiroc Traffic management system. Minetruck Automation is built on the same proven components, software platform and technology as Scooptram Automation.