As part of Antofagasta Minerals’ digital transformation roadmap, the Autonomous Systems Implementation Project to operate Minera Centinela’s Esperanza Sur Pit continues to develop according to plan, reaching various milestones that will ensure its optimal development. The initiative includes a fleet of 11 autonomous electric drive Komatsu 980E-5 trucks and two PV351 diesel Epiroc autonomous drilling rigs, which are already in operation, being tested so that the system can enter into operation in 2022.
In October, functionality tests of the equipment began in an isolated and safe environment, which have considered, among other actions: obstacle detection, truck lights to indicate its operating mode (autonomous, manned or inactive), functionality of emergency detention and security protocols for light equipment. The equipment and systems have successfully achieved the autonomy standards established by the project, prior to moving to normal production conditions.
“Given the successful completion of this phase of the project, we now go to performance tests in a productive environment, where we seek a KPI of 67% utilisation during day shift operation and complete operator training, all this in line with the highest required safety standards,” explained Carlos Espinoza, General Manager of Minera Centinela. The recent tests lasted 40 hours, during which the trucks entered the haulage route in autonomous mode and successfully tested the interaction with light vehicles, managing to reduce speed and avoid them and then return to the pre-designed route.
In addition, the horizontal distance interaction between autonomous teams was tested, being able to maintain safety distances and avoid a potential collision. In the loading area, meanwhile, the trucks followed the route to a virtual dump, testing interaction with other equipment and making successful back-up tests. In parallel to the functionality tests, the selection and training of the people who will be part of the future Esperanza Sur autonomous pit is being developed. In this regard, Centinela’s General Manager emphasised that the importance of this stage is that all personnel who will work in the autonomous mine have the tools and knowledge necessary to achieve good performance in safety and also in production.
“This stage is key to the success of the project, since having trained people is part of the central axes of the execution strategy of autonomous systems, which, accompanied by progress in the other phases, will allow the autonomous operation of Minera Centinela can materialise in 2022,” concluded Espinoza.
