SURFACE AUTOMATION related incidents , sprains and other soft tissue injuries , and exposure to noise and dust ,” says Yandicoogina Mining Operations Manager Josh Bennett .
And while human drivers require regular breaks , the AHS trucks can run almost 24 hours a day , 365 days a year , stopping only for refuelling and maintenance . Since 2008 , the autonomous fleet has outperformed the manned fleet by an average of 14 %, and reduced load and haul operating costs by up to 13 %.
The AHS trucks are specially built with advanced computers that perform the normal tasks associated with driving a vehicle , such as starting the engine , accelerating and braking . The computers then respond to GPS directions , supervised remotely by operators , to ensure greater operational safety .
Bennett , explains : “ What we have done is map out our entire mine and put that into the system , and the system then works out how to manoeuvre the trucks through the mine .”
The trucks are programmed to transport loads as efficiently as possible , and are fitted with proximity detection and collision avoidance systems to identify and avoid hazards .
“ There are obvious capital savings , in terms of setting up camps and flying people to site , and there are fewer people so there is less operating cost .”
The driverless vehicles are designed to deliver their loads more efficiently , minimising delays and reducing costs associated with maintenance , tyre life and fuel consumption .
“ One of the advantages we have had with autonomous haulage , particularly in the truck fleet , is we notice we are getting consistency in terms of the way the machines are operating .”
At Rio Tinto ’ s West Angelas mine , the world ’ s first fully Autonomous Drilling Systems have drilled more than 2.6 million metres since they were introduced in 2009 . A key advantage of ADS is in removing drill operators from the mine pit , as well as reducing workers ’ exposure to dust , noise and vibration . From a productivity perspective , the autonomous drills have resulted in 10 % less downtime compared with manned drills due to fewer interruptions , such as shift changes .
Rio Tinto says it now plans to extend its AHS fleet to other viable Pilbara mines in the future , and continues to review and test new technology , evaluating the cost against potential returns .
One of the latest innovations is the introduction of RTVisTM , which works much like ultrasound and delivers real-time 3D pictures of ore deposits located far beneath the surface . Combining this technology with the driverless trucks and autonomous drills has led to greater ore recovery and lower costs . This is because it enables more accurate drilling and blasting , reduced explosive use and better waste classification . As a result the trucks are carrying less waste material and more ore .
While the introduction of automation has seen a reduction in some traditional mining operational roles , it has also created new ones – from pit patrollers who help to manage the trucks in the field , to technical specialists who maintain the systems .
“ As we redefine the relationship between person and machine , we also need to create a future workforce quite different than the one we have had previously ,” says Andrew Harding , then Rio Tinto ’ s Chief Executive , Iron Ore .
“ Some core skills are still required , but with new automation technologies we need to apply them in new and different ways to deliver across our operations . For example , there will be a shift to a new form of highly skilled personnel at the core of our business , often with statistical reasoning as a strong suit .”
Harding says humans will continue to play an important role in the day-to-day running of the Pilbara operations . “ Despite the extraordinary advances in technology , for tasks that are more complex and require a high level of problem solving , we need a human touch .”
ASI Mobius Command and Control allows integration of multiple autonomy elements
ASI offers measured implementation
IM spoke to Drew Larsen , Autonomous Solutions Inc ( ASI ) Director of Business Development about its continued progress in delivering autonomous solutions in mining . The company continues to
focus on being the leading OEM agnostic autonomy provider . The field is fast moving , and like other OEM and non-OEM solutions , the challenge for ASI is to keep up with new technologies such as sensors , often from other industries , that can potentially be applied in mining autonomy . In terms of haul truck autonomy ongoing work , he says : “ Our biggest advancements are now being made in interoperability and scalability . We are concentrating on making systems more robust and better suited to the dynamic conditions encountered in mining as well as the difficult market conditions the industry is facing .”
As with other technology suppliers , ASI emphasises that it is not all about one size fits all full autonomy . The company has crafted solutions based on remote control , teleop , and semi-autonomy as well as full autonomy . While the Tier 1 miners have done a lot of the pioneering work and have the financial resources to do so , the rest of the mining community has largely adopted a wait and see attitude or may even regard autonomy as too daunting , or too capital intensive , or both . Larsen says : “ We provide what we like to call a pathway to autonomy , meaning it is not just an all or nothing proposition . For non Tier 1 miners , we can implement autonomy in scalable , bite-sized pieces .”
SEPTEMBER 2016 | International Mining