Tag Archives: Komatsu

The ABB approach to drive positive change across the mining sector

Automation, Environmental, IoT, Mining events, Mining services, Sustainable mining, , , , ,

“A green mining industry is not science fiction”, industrial technology giant ABB said earlier this year, pointing to the role it’s been playing in electrifying and automating energy-intensive mining processes for more than a century. Today’s technology presents even more actionable net zero emission pathways, according to ABB Process Industries Division President, Joachim Braun.

Speaking with Mining Beacon Editor, Richard Roberts, ahead of this year’s International Mining and Resources Conference and Expo (IMARC), in Sydney, Australia, Braun says a new ABB mining survey and report highlights a high level of industry planning to achieve significant net-zero transformation over the next five years.

The report will be a focus of an exclusive executive roundtable at IMARC, where industry leaders will converge to discuss strategies for achieving net zero emissions by 2030.

Richard Roberts: Next year is your 30th with ABB? Congratulations on your career so far.

Joachim Braun: Thank you. It’s been an incredible journey with ABB and the rapid pace of change in our industries is especially exciting.

Richard Roberts: It seems like technology has been over the past decade, or is about to be, transformative for engineering, manufacturing and other companies and industries. I read in the latest ABB Review how the company’s eMine simulation tools are enabling advanced mine fleet and power/renewable power integration simulation and modelling. How would you characterise the way in which these tools are changing the way you interact with customers, and how quickly has this happened?

Joachim Braun: Technology has been transformative, particularly in mining, and the eMine Simulation Solution is a great example. It allows customers to simulate renewable energy integration, fleet operations and power systems, optimising efficiency before making investments.

This data-driven approach is a game-changer, enabling customers to model scenarios, mitigate risks and optimise operations. Today, ABB is seen as a strategic partner to the mining industry, providing not only technology but deep expertise to guide customers through their energy transition.

Richard Roberts: In terms of your partnerships with top-tier mining and metals clients, how deeply embedded are these solutions? How central are they to shaping current and future alliances?

Joachim Braun: Our mining systems and solutions are deeply embedded in our partnerships with customers and others in the industry. But it’s not just about technology, it’s about building strong relationships with mining companies, OEMs and technologists. Collaboration is key because it allows us to bring expertise together and ensure the solutions we develop are aligned with real-world challenges. Our partnerships, like those with Perenti and IGO, evolve based on market conditions and shared goals.

Richard Roberts: You have talked in various forums and media about how quickly mining/metals is evolving as a technology adopter, among the process industries you deal with. Off a low base, it must be said. Which technologies do you see as being the most impactful in the sector in the next five years, from a “double materiality” perspective? How impactful will they be?

Joachim Braun: Mining is at a pivotal point and technologies like electrification, automation and digitalisation will have the greatest impact.

For example, our Gearless Mill Drives (GMD) are key for scaling copper production, which is critical for the energy transition. Integrating clean energy and AI-driven optimisation will enable the industry to extract more while reducing environmental impact, focusing on both sustainability and efficiency.

While mining has been slower to adopt certain technologies we’re seeing a shift.

A report which ABB will soon release, based on insights from 412 experts, shows that 53% of mining professionals are planning significant transformation in the next five years.

This is a unique opportunity for mining to leapfrog older stages of digitalisation and implement the most advanced solutions available today. ABB plays a key role in helping companies lay the automation foundation needed for this transition.

Richard Roberts: Mining, generally, is having to build more infrastructure to access remote deposits. It is moving more material to access lower grade, deeper deposits. This is not the way minerals/metals will help reshape the world’s energy, transport and urban landscapes, particularly with demand for primary minerals and metals climbing. Using more information, as others have said, can enable you to use less of other inputs…“More bits and bytes and not more kilos and litres”. How optimistic are you that we get to that world soon enough? Why?

Joachim Braun: As surface deposits deplete and ore grades decline, mining is increasingly moving deeper underground and processing more material for the same yield. This requires smarter solutions. Mine hoists, like those we’ve installed at BHP, are critical for accessing these deeper deposits sustainably. They provide an automated, electrified alternative to truck haulage, which is inefficient at great depths.

For example, at BHP, our hoist increased production from 4.5 Mt to 6.5 Mt annually while lowering emissions. This shows how automation and electrification can optimise operations and reduce environmental impact.

I’m optimistic that we can achieve the energy transition in time, but it requires collective action and the right approach.

This isn’t the first energy transition, but it’s one we must get right. We already have many of the technologies needed, though they are only now reaching the scale and capacity required for the future.

Take electrification. ABB electrified the first mine hoist in the 1890s, but clean energy wasn’t feasible back then. Today we’re seeing the potential of technologies like lithium-ion batteries which, despite their progress, are still in their infancy compared to more established industries.

Success depends on collaboration across the entire supply chain. Miners are leading the way but we need open partnerships, breaking down silos to drive real progress. Only by working together can we achieve our goals and create a sustainable future.

Richard Roberts: You’ve talked a lot about the need for, and power of, collaboration. ABB is working with mining and metals customers, and with mining OEMs/service companies such as FLSmidth, Perenti and Komatsu.

Joachim Braun: Electrification in mining, once thought impossible, is now a reality and a key part of the industry’s push towards sustainability.

Today, no globally-focused mining company can ignore electrification. It’s essential to meet 2030-2050 energy transition targets. ABB’s solutions, like the eMine Trolley System, have helped customers reduce diesel consumption by up to 90%, showing how quickly we can decarbonise operations.

Collaboration with partners like FLSmidth, Perenti and Komatsu has been vital in driving these innovations. While site operators focus on productivity and equipment availability, decarbonisation is becoming a shared goal, enabled by technology.

Richard Roberts: You said, with the recent Komatsu announcement, collaboration across the mining industry had “already been proven to enable real and faster progress and we look forward to driving what happens next”. What are the best examples, in your view, of where “real and faster progress” has occurred where we would not have otherwise seen such progress?

Joachim Braun: Electrification and automation have been game-changers in improving safety and efficiency, especially in remote and harsh mining environments.

A great example is the eMine Robot Automated Connection Device (ACD), developed with Boliden, BHP and Komatsu. This automated, high-power truck charging system eliminates the need for human intervention, maximising machinery uptime and boosting site productivity.
Another example is our automated robotic remote blasting loader, which just won gold at the Euromines Safety Awards 2024. Developed with Boliden, LKAB and explosive suppliers, this technology automates the dangerous process of charging blasting holes, improving safety by removing workers from hazardous environments.

These innovations wouldn’t have progressed as quickly without strong collaboration, proving the power of partnership in driving real progress.

Richard Roberts: What do you hope “happens next” by way of a “difference to the way mining companies operate their sites in the near future”?

Joachim Braun: In the near future I hope to see mining companies fully embrace the opportunities presented by electrification, automation and digitalisation.

Over the past two years working with eMine we’ve gained invaluable insights from collaborating with customers and partners. We now have a clearer understanding of where the mining industry stands in terms of technology adoption and are better equipped to tailor our solutions.

Looking ahead, automation and digitalisation will be crucial for addressing challenges like sustainability and workforce evolution. These technologies will not only optimise operations but also make mining a more attractive and inclusive industry. The focus is now on implementing these changes quickly and effectively.

With the right approach we can drive positive change across the sector.

International Mining is a media sponsor of IMARC, taking place in Sydney, Australia, from October 29-31

Energy management to become ‘the’ mine electrification talking point

Automation, Environmental, Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Running through the three halls at MINExpo 2024 in Las Vegas last month, the electrification theme was everywhere – numerous booths pulled in attendees with battery symbolism or, in some cases, actual electric machines; others presented new concepts, with variations of dynamic trolley being a particular talking point.

While it is clear there is a wider ‘electric’ offering coming to the market, it is also becoming apparent that the discussion must move on from individual electric machine capabilities to the wider infrastructure at hand and how to manage a site’s available energy constraints.

For IM this was crystallised during several meetings around the show, with the two notable examples coming from a discussion with Joachim Braun, Division President at ABB Process Industries, and a presentation from Brian Weller, Vice President of Electrification for Caterpillar.

Real eMine progress

“It is hard to imagine any company being able to sell an electric vehicle without an awareness of how this vehicle will affect a site’s energy balance,” Braun told IM on the final day of the three-day show in Las Vegas. “Part of the equation now is the power management system piece. No operation is going to tolerate a major drop in productivity with the introduction of these new vehicles and increased renewable energy generation.”

ABB has been aware of this for some time, using the backdrop of MINExpo 2021 to launch its eMine™ portfolio of fully integrated electrification and automation systems, covering mine to port.

IM Editor, Dan Gleeson (left), with Division President at ABB Process Industries, Joachim Braun (right)

The company is in the somewhat unique position of serving both OEMs and mine sites with this offering, with the most recent publicised agreements struck with the likes of Komatsu and Hitachi Construction Machinery in the former category, and Codelco and Antofagasta in the latter.

On the availability of renewable energy generation, Braun acknowledged the potential to carry out “power-hungry activities” during the day when solar irradiation might be highest in, say, Australia or Latin America, as one option to consider.

He also expected the introduction of new levels of autonomy and artificial intelligence to play key roles in making decisions on site based on planned activities and the energy required to carry those activities out.

“Whatever happens, there has to be an interaction with the fleet management side of things,” he added.

Stitching it together

Caterpillar is one of those companies looking to sell electric machines, as well as chargers, energy storage systems and other supporting electrical infrastructure, to the mining sector. As Weller made clear during a pre-MINExpo 2024 tour of the company’s Tucson Proving Ground and Tinaja Hills Demonstration and Learning Centre in Arizona, the OEM is working closely with key customers to explore the complexities of managing the power needed to keep electric sites running optimally.

“When we think about the energy balance here, it is not just about consuming energy; it is about where am I getting the energy, and how much and when I am getting this energy,” Weller said during a demonstration of the company’s electric site simulation and modelling capabilities.

This Caterpillar demonstration included a simulated customer site that had 26 battery-electric trucks being charged by six 4-MW stationary charging systems and eight 8-MW Dynamic Energy Transfer (DET) points.

Caterpillar wasn’t the only one showcasing such solutions at MINExpo, with Fortescue highlighting a 6 MW charger and Liebherr Power Rail also being featured. During IM’s conversation with Braun, a high power eMine FastCharge under development was mentioned, as was “more flexible solutions on trolley systems”.

All these new solutions – in addition to some of the existing ones on offer – are high consumers of power.

This was displayed in the simulation Weller played on screen in Arizona, where the site energy transfer capacity related to just the haulage fleet came in at 88 MW.

The energy transfer shown over a 4.5-hour period in this simulation swung from 70 MW capacity at the top end and 5 MW at the low end.

“That 65 MW swing is the equivalent of having a city of 40,000 people turn their light switches on and off,” Weller said for context. “That is the magnitude of the variation the site has to absorb.”

This is where the integration of electrification and autonomy are going to prove vitally important, according to Weller, and is where the “assignment engine” the company is developing, in tandem with its advanced simulation capabilities, is expected to come into the Cat® MineStar™ Fleet management system fold.

“When we look into the mine site of the future, and the idea of electrification and autonomy, it has to all be stitched together,” Weller said.

“We can’t have trucks stop because of a dead battery; we can’t have trucks back up on a haul route waiting for a charger. In some instances, you might be better off coming in for a charge right now – regardless of your state of charge – as in 10 minutes you might have 10 trucks lining up waiting to be charged. How do you know that? You have to tie it to the fleet management system. This enables you to know how much energy you need and how much energy you have to complete your next assignment.”

These tradeoffs will likely impact production, but having a system like the assignment engine Weller highlighted allows the site “to make that decision very dynamically”, he added.

Industry consensus

There were others talking up such integration around MINExpo 2024.

Oliver Weiss, Liebherr Mining Equipment SAS’ Executive Vice President, R&D, Engineering and Production, says control and command of zero emission mining technologies are included in the autonomous haulage system (AHS) the company has been working on with Fortescue.

“The fleet management assignment engine at the core of the AHS monitors fleet energy levels so that jobs and energy replenishment tasks can be assigned efficiently within zero emission fleets equipped with this system,” he said.

Komatsu’s new Modular ecosystem, which builds on the DISPATCH fleet management system, also has an expanding set of interconnected platforms and products built in. Included within this is a new app called “Replenish” to refuel and recharge mining equipment while minimising impacts to production.

Considering ABB and Komatsu recently signed a strategic collaboration agreement to, they said, “jointly develop and bring to market integrated solutions that will help move net-zero emissions for heavy industrial machinery a step closer to reality,” one would expect ABB’s expertise and technologies for automation and electrification to integrate into this new open platform from Komatsu.

It is becoming clear that the energy management paradigm will require mine sites of the future to have even more integrated workflows underlined by higher levels of autonomy.

And it is this understanding that will lead to an accelerated uptake of electric solutions from where the industry is today.

Komatsu bolsters Peoria engineering, sales, manufacturing, management functions

Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , ,

Komatsu is announcing the enhancement of its Peoria operations in the US by constructing a new office building that will provide a collaborative space for engineering, sales, manufacturing, management and other functions.

Komatsu has ceremonially broken ground on the new building, which is designed for operational efficiency and environmental responsibility. Komatsu is committed to sustainability, and to further these goals, the new office will incorporate innovative features such as solar panels, stormwater reclamation systems and energy-efficient LED lighting.

This project marks a significant investment in Peoria, replacing the existing office, which was built in the 1970s, and securing Komatsu’s presence in the region for generations to come.

“Komatsu’s commitment to Peoria is a partnership we greatly value,” Peoria Mayor, Rita Ali, says. “The new facility represents a step forward in sustainable manufacturing and strengthening Peoria’s economy and community. We’re excited to see Komatsu’s continued investment in our city, creating opportunities for the next generation of workers.”

Komatsu plans to complete the office building by the end of 2025, further cementing its role as a leader in mining technology and a key player in Peoria’s economic future. Primary partners supporting the project include EUA and P.J. Hoerr. In addition to the office upgrades, Komatsu is proud to announce the installation of a 980E-5SE mining truck as a showcase for the community at the entrance to its Peoria operations.

The truck was built in Peoria in January 2020 as an early prototype of the 980E-5SE model, which was commercialized in 2023. This impressive machine was recently crowned the winner of the prestigious 2024 “Makers Madness” contest, earning the title of “Coolest Thing Made in Illinois”. This accolade, presented by the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, capped off an eight-week, bracket-style competition that gathered nearly 315,000 votes from the public. The 980E-5SE features a hauling capacity of 400 tons (363 t) and cutting-edge electric drive technology.

Dan Funcannon, Senior Vice President of Surface Haulage for Komatsu, said: “This display truck represents more than just a remarkable engineering achievement. It symbolises our Peoria team’s hard work and innovation and reinforces our manufacturing capabilities. We’re excited for employees, visitors and Peoria residents to see firsthand the scale and ingenuity behind our products.”

Several key partners supported the 980E-5SE truck installation, including Boilermakers Local 158 for assembly, P.J. Hoerr as the general contractor, and Mohr & Kerr for site and foundation design.

Komatsu to complement new Modular ecosystem with Octodots Analytics solutions

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To expand its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and help customers optimise their mining operations, Komatsu announced today its intent to acquire Octodots Analytics, a Chile-based digital solutions provider.

The announcement comes as the company debuts its new Modular ecosystem, a bold vision for the future of mine site optimisation and data sharing, at MINExpo 2024, in Las Vegas, it says. Building upon Komatsu’s DISPATCH fleet management system, the Modular ecosystem is a set of interconnected platforms and products designed to simplify existing workflows.

“Our ecosystem is designed to empower customers to optimise decision making at the machine, mine site and enterprise levels,” Jason Fletcher, SVP Mining Technology Solutions, Komatsu, said. “Octodots’ expertise and solutions map perfectly to what we’ve created and we are excited about the opportunities to incorporate their products and capabilities into our offering.”

Since 2017, Octodots Analytics has been developing and commercialising advanced digital solutions for industries including mining, construction, forestry, transportation and more. The company’s multi-disciplinary team has particular expertise in three key areas: mining engineering, transportation and data science.

The Modular ecosystem will provide mining companies the ability to connect data used across their operations, including data from Komatsu products as well as third-party technologies and equipment from other manufacturers.

MineSense announces ShovelSense integration agreement with Komatsu

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MineSense and Komatsu’s Modular Mining Systems have executed a collaboration agreement to share data between ShovelSense and the DISPATCH Fleet Management (FMS) and ProVision Machine Guidance systems.

The standardised integrated solution exchanges loading cycle and material classification data in real-time and provides automated notifications to re-route trucks when ShovelSense identifies a material mismatch. The integration is purchased directly through MineSense as part of its ShovelSense solution.

The aim of the agreement is to provide customers with a pre-packaged, standardised, “plug and play” solution that can simply be switched on as part of a ShovelSense implementation. In addition to simplifying the procurement process through a single point of contact, the standardised solution will be regularly updated to ensure compatibility with future system upgrades and to protect against any new cybersecurity threats.

“Our goal is to make it as seamless as possible for customers to integrate ShovelSense into their mining operations,” Frank Hoogendoorn (right), Chief Data Officer at MineSense, says. “As anyone working on mining technology interoperability projects knows, data integration between third-party systems can be very challenging, especially when data sharing needs to be bi-directional, in real-time, and consistently reliable and secure. We’re pleased to be a Modular Ecosystem Partner and to offer a pre-built, “off the shelf” solution ready for immediate deployment.”

By measuring grade in each shovel scoop, ShovelSense creates value for customers by identifying misclassified material at the earliest point of the extraction process – at the mining face as trucks are being loaded. This means trucks can be re-routed to the correct dump location right away, without the need for additional handling costs. The automated, real-time communication between ShovelSense and the Modular Ecosystem ensures ShovelSense recommendations are consistently actioned as truck diversions, without distracting equipment operators.

“We recognise we can create significant value for our customers by being an open data integration enabler,” Greg Lanz (left), General Manager, Technology Interoperability at Komatsu, says. “The Modular Ecosystem is the future of digital mining collaboration, and we’re excited to see customers embracing integrations with our early adopter partners like MineSense.”

Komatsu’s pre-production Power Agnostic 930E haul truck heading to Boliden’s Aitik mine

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Komatsu has announced a significant step forward in their joint commitment to sustainable mining together with Boliden, a leading global mining and metals company with a strong focus on sustainable production.

At MINExpo 2024, Komatsu unveiled its all-new Power Agnostic 930E haul truck, built on Komatsu’s modular power-agnostic platform, this new generation truck allows customers to future-proof their operations with a versatile approach to decarbonisation.

Thanks to this modular power-agnostic platform, customers are able to start with conventional diesel engines and gradually transition to cleaner energy sources as needed. Whether adopting battery technology, hydrogen fuel cell technology or a combination of energy systems, the Power Agnostic 930E provides the infrastructure and adaptability necessary to meet evolving sustainability goals.

Following the exhibition, this pre-production haulage truck will make its way to Boliden’s Aitik mine – Europe’s largest and one of the world’s most productive open-pit copper mines. This marks a milestone moment as the truck will become the first of its kind to undergo field testing in production at a customer’s mine site including the ambition of conversion to battery technology.

This one-year field trial will take place within the Komatsu Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Alliance framework, where Boliden will work closely with Komatsu to gather first-hand insights and feedback based on real-world applications. This collaboration will contribute to the advancement of Komatsu’s power-agnostic truck concept.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with Boliden in their Aitik mine, where the Power Agnostic 930E truck, showcased at MINExpo, will soon start the first field trials in a customer mine site,” Jeroen De Roeck, Senior Manager Mining for Komatsu Europe. “This milestone not only represents a major step forward in our decarbonisation strategy but also exemplifies our commitment to support our customers in achieving their sustainability goals. Together with Boliden, we are paving the way for a more responsible mining industry.

As one of the founding members of the GHG Alliance, Boliden has consistently demonstrated its commitment to ambitious carbon reduction goals within the mining industry.

In 2023, Boliden became the first company in Europe to implement Komatsu Frontrunner, an Autonomous Hauling System, on 17 haul trucks at the Aitik mine. This initiative aimed to optimise productivity and asset utilisation to meet increased transportation demands while maintaining world-leading cost competitiveness.

As the demand for essential minerals continues to grow, mining companies face increasing pressure to deliver these crucial resources productively and responsibly. Komatsu is focused on supporting mining operations in meeting these challenges through innovative solutions that prioritise both productivity and climate performance.

ABB, Komatsu to showcase eMine automated battery truck charging solution at MINExpo

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At this week’s MINExpo 2024 in Las Vegas, ABB is to showcase a new technology demonstrator developed to enable safe and efficient, high-power charging in the journey towards the all-electric mine of the future. The eMine™ Robot Automated Connection Device (ACD) is designed to work in tandem with the ABB eMine FastCharge solution, allowing further interoperability and synergy of connections and interfaces in electric mining trucks.

As a founding member of the CharIN taskforce for electrical standards in mining, ABB is working to accelerate the adoption of electrical interface solutions for the industry, with this latest innovation forming a key part in achieving this ambition, it says. The Robot ACD will allow for more reliable and efficient truck charging without the need for human intervention. The fully automated, interoperable connection device is ruggedised to withstand the harsh environmental conditions of mines.

Allowing for a seamless transition into existing mining operations, the technology’s scalability and interoperability means it will be compatible with current and future mining trucks, connection mechanisms and interfaces, ABB claims.

Currently, the technology is being tested at ABB’s laboratory in Sweden, followed by testing under real mining conditions at Boliden’s Aitik site starting within the December quarter of this year. Working in collaboration with industry partners, Boliden, BHP and Komatsu, ABB’s Robot ACD will also undergo early field trials to address the technical solution requirements.

The Robot ACD will be on display for the first time at MINExpo 2024, showcased by Komatsu and ABB.

Max Luedtke, Global Business Line Manager for Mining, ABB Process Industries, said: “The fact that robotic technologies can and will be incorporated into the most advanced modern mining operations is a proud milestone in ABB’s overall 50-year long journey with robots. Bringing this together with electrification and automation is a strong differentiator for ABB, and we’re even more impactful through our collaborations with industry partners. Clearly, the industry is on a trajectory towards increasingly automated and autonomous operations – technologies like eMine Robot ACD are essential for applications that meet new needs and growing possibilities. It’s an exciting field to be part of today.”

MINExpo 2024 marks the three-year anniversary since the official launch of ABB’s pioneering eMine purposeful and holistic framework of methods and solutions designed to accelerate the energy transition in mining. Since its launch at MINExpo 2021 edition, ABB says it has been at the forefront of mine decarbonisation, signing collaborations with major industry partners and undertaking ambitious studies and projects to electrify operations for some of the world’s foremost mining organisations.

Komatsu and ABB align on interoperable solutions to achieve net-zero operations

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Komatsu and ABB have signed a Strategic Collaboration Agreement to, they say, jointly develop and bring to market integrated solutions that will help move net-zero emissions for heavy industrial machinery a step closer to reality.

The two global leaders will leverage industry expertise and equipment in a bid to create world-class interoperability, ranging from renewable energy generation to fully electrified mining equipment for customers, through an open platform.

Komatsu is known as one of the world’s largest providers of construction and mining machinery and will now link up with global leader ABB for its expertise and technologies for automation and electrification. Both companies bid to accelerate decarbonisation in mining alongside customers, partners and suppliers, enabling continued productivity, energy efficiency and value across the industry.

ABB and Komatsu’s collaboration is geared towards reducing diesel consumption and ultimately eliminating it through the electrification of mine operations.

The companies are developing innovative solutions such as fully-electrified mining machinery and advanced energy management systems. “Innovation is the primary catalyst for ABB and Komatsu to help the industry reach carbon reduction goals,” they said. “Each company will nominate specialists from their teams for a working group to develop recommendations and strategies on what the road to net-zero emission systems for grid to wheel could require.”

Dan Funcannon, Senior Vice President of Surface Haulage for Komatsu, said: “We’re pleased to embark on this collaboration with ABB and are excited to leverage one another’s industry leading products and technological expertise to help move mining operations toward net zero emissions, empowering a sustainable future where people, business and the planet thrive together.”

Joachim Braun, Division President, ABB Process Industries, said: “By working together, we will tackle electrification and make a revolutionary difference to the way mining companies operate their sites in the near future. We recognise the strategic importance of this agreement and believe there will be mutual business benefits and potential technology solutions for the mining market. Collaboration across the industry has already been proven to enable real and faster progress and we look forward to driving what happens next.”

ABB’s Robot Automated Connection Device (ACD) will be featured on the Komatsu MINExpo 2024 booth from September 24 to 26. The Robot ACD is planned to be a fully automated interoperable connection device working in tandem with the ABB eMine™ FastCharge solution for future battery-electric trucks.

From left to right: Dan Funcannon, Senior Vice President of Surface Haulage, Komatsu; Joachim Braun, Division President, ABB Process Industries; Brian Fox, Senior Vice President of Mining Strategy & Innovation, Komatsu; and Max Luedtke, Global Business Line Manager for Mining, ABB Process Industries

Komatsu and Rio Tinto herald delivery of 300th autonomous haul truck

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Komatsu and Rio Tinto have reached a historic milestone, with Rio Tinto’s Pilbara operations in Western Australia accepting delivery of its 300th autonomous haulage system (AHS) truck this month.

Komatsu and Rio Tinto initially signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2011 to deploy 150 AHS trucks to the Rio Tinto site, and, 13 years later, the partnership continues with both companies looking to accelerate the pace of mining automation.

Garry Povah, Komatsu Australia’s General Manager − Mining Automation, says this milestone gives both organisations the opportunity to reflect on the success of this groundbreaking partnership.

“We’ve led the industry in mining automation since 2008, when we commenced the Rio Tinto trial,” Povah said. “We delivered the first five AHS trucks to Rio mine sites in Australia in 2011, and it’s incredible to see how much the business has embraced this technology over the years, helping to make their mines safe, and also highly productive.

“AHS trucks are a crucial solution to both mine safety and addressing labour shortages in the sector. By removing human operators from potentially hazardous environments, AHS trucks significantly reduce the risk of accident and injury, and while enabling continuous operation that considerably impacts site productivity.”

The AHS fleet at Rio Tinto sites have completed 8.9 million operating hours and have moved over 4.8 billion tonnes of material, according to Povah – “all while improving their sites effective utilisation (EU%) by 15% – a remarkable feat.”

Currently, the 300 AHS trucks are spread across 10 of Rio Tinto’s Australian mine sites, and contribute to approximately 80% of the miner’s daily production capacity.

Jamie Sanders, Rio Tinto’s Global Head of Procurement, says: “This significant milestone is an excellent example of the partnership approach that Rio Tinto takes with its suppliers.

“Komatsu is a fantastic partner that has helped us improve our operations from a health and safety, and efficiency perspective,” Sanders says. “From the initial trial in 2008 to the work we do with Komatsu today, they have played a major role in helping us accelerate the automation of our mining processes. We look forward to continuing our collaboration into the future.”

The 300th delivery was marked with a special ‘Daruma doll’ ceremony, a Japanese ritual where one eye of the doll is painted to symbolise the setting of a goal and the beginning of a journey. Once the goal is successfully achieved, the second eye is painted

Pronto to demo autonomous haulage tech at Heidelberg’s Lake Bridgeport quarry

Automation, Mine operation news, Mining services, , , , ,

Pronto’s Autonomous Haulage System (AHS) is set to be deployed at Heidelberg Materials North America’s Lake Bridgeport quarry in Texas, USA, following a successful pilot of the technology with Heidelberg in 2023.

The pilot in question was conducted in partnership with Komatsu North America, with the next phase also set to be on a Komatsu platform to include the integration of Komatsu Smart Quarry technologies. The latter technologies will enable enhanced data collection and analysis, as well as improved safety and productivity, according to Pronto.

A Silicon Valley-based autonomy pioneer, Pronto has designed its AHS to be the simplest, fastest to deploy, easiest to use, and most cost-effective solution in the market. It has been deployed in multiple sites across the world. It leverages advanced sensors, cameras and artificial intelligence to autonomously operate haul trucks in complex and dynamic environments.

Last year, Pronto announced a partnership with RAICO SA, a leading mining and forestry equipment sales and rental services provider in Chile, to scale mining and forestry autonomy in the country, while the company has also worked extensively with Bell on integrating the technology into its trucks.

Pronto said: “Pronto’s AHS is the industry’s most cost-effective solution to addressing the challenge of recruiting skilled operatives, while also increasing the utilisation of haul truck assets.”