RCT says it has entered into a project with Alkane Resources to commission autonomous technology at its Tomingley gold operations in New South Wales, Australia.

The work involves installing and commissioning ControlMaster® Guidance Automation on two Caterpillar R2900G LHDs to operate at the company’s underground gold operation at Tomingley, just south of Dubbo.

RCT will also supply a Tele Cabin including operator chair, LCD monitors and laser guard containment control with the option to operate from the mine’s surface via the ControlMaster® Fibre Optic Control Station.

“Guidance Automation removes operators from machine cabs, which improves safety while the technology enables faster tramming speeds and eliminates machine damage from operator errors, thereby significantly reducing unplanned maintenance works,” RCT said.

The technology will be installed by mid-2019 with operator training to be held simultaneously.

Back in September, the Alkane board approved the development of underground mining operations at Tomingley. This would see 93,000 oz of gold recovered over a 40- month development, with development commencing in early 2019 and first ore expected in mid-2019.