MINING TRUCKS ongoing success . This project is notable as it was the first AHS project worldwide involving a deep , steep sided pit in a cold climate . Elsewhere , there is a six-truck AHS pilot using Komatsu 930E trucks underway at the Elkview Operations so Teck can assess the use of AHS at its steelmaking coal operations . The pilot is set to complete this year .
In Chile things are really taking off now with something of a domino effect – and it is appropriate as the first autonomous ultraclass haulers started out in Chile first at Codelco Radomiro Tomic for tests and then at Gaby , way back in 2008 . At the end of 2020 , Chile ’ s Minera Centinela , part of Antofagasta PLC , approved the implementation of autonomous haulage at the Esperanza Sur open pit copper operation , with which it will target high utilisation and average speeds . The company said at the time , “ we are targeting specific performance improvements to come from these changes .” The company has now told IM that the contract has been awarded to Komatsu for a fleet of 11 980E-5 autonomous trucks , which will be delivered between July 2021 and the first quarter of 2022 . Over at Collahuasi , a six truck trial with AHS is set for H2 2021 . Both mines are implementing LTE networks to support the autonomy programs , in Collahuasi ’ s case from Nokia .
Across in Peru , Southern Copper Corporation , part of Grupo Mexico , operates Cuajone , one of the largest copper mines in Peru , which could be one of the next major mines in Latin America to deploy autonomous trucks – it is in communication with both Caterpillar and Komatsu ahead of planned trials . However , these trials are still under the consideration of the Chairman ’ s office . If they are approved , they would take place in Zone 8 of the mine , which is away from the current active mining area . The initial plan would involve six new autonomous trucks , not retrofits . The company said initially they would not interact with the conventional driver operated trucks . Any official date for the beginning of trials is still pending .
Back in Australia , AHS activity continues apace . BHP Mitsubishi Alliance ( BMA ) last year announced a A $ 100 million ($ 69 million ) investment and new jobs as part of the introduction of 34 autonomous trucks at its Daunia coal mine in central Queensland , Australia . The first retrofit trucks began working in February 2021 , with the rollout expected to be completed by the end of the year . The 4.5 Mt / y
Daunia coal mine opened in 2013 and has a truck fleet that includes Cat 793Fs . In the Pilbara the new autonomous kid on the block is Roy Hill where ASI Mining has a subcontract with Epiroc to supply its autonomous haul truck solution . ASI Mining has supplied the technology and systems to convert Roy Hill ’ s mixed fleet of 77 haul trucks from manned to autonomous operation which includes Cat 793Fs and Hitachi EH5000s . The project will focus on safe and highly productive operations and will leverage ASI ’ s Mobius™ to achieve an integration platform which can continue to scale for future applications . The project will consist of a phased implementation , with testing and production verification of up to eight trucks undertaken in the initial phase prior to the second phase of full fleet expansion from mid-2021 .
Also in the Pilbara , 2020 saw a new fleet of autonomous trucks arrive at BHP ’ s Newman East iron ore mine . Home to BHP ’ s Innovation Centre , the Newman East mine is the second of the company ’ s Western Australian mines to transition to fully autonomous haulage with 20 autonomous trucks . The first was the Jimblebar iron ore mine , which transitioned in 2017 .
The main Hitachi-driven automation project
Liebherr to launch T 274 plus continues trolley success
Liebherr is extending its product offerings with the T 274 , a class-leading 305 t haul truck . This new truck bridges the gap between the highly successful T 284 ( 363 t ), and the recently introduced T 264 ( 240 t ). “ Operating the T 274 with other Liebherr Mining products is a great opportunity for customers to achieve the highest production available while minimising operating costs . End-user will experience first-class comfort and safety while driving and servicing this truck . To maximise productivity , a wide range of options are available , including the Liebherr Trolley Assist System , which provides a significant step towards a zeroemission mine . By pairing the Liebherr T 274 ’ s 305 t payload with the Liebherr R 9800 hydraulic excavator or the brand new R 9600 , our customers will enjoy a productive set of equipment . The fast swing times of the Liebherr excavator will ensure a quick load of the T 274 moving more tonnes per hour , leading to high production rates .”
On autonomy , Liebherr is still keeping fairly quiet but did comment : “ Liebherr strives for long-term sustainable solutions , investigating different options centered on safety , cost , reliability , maintainability , and flexibility . We offer a full range of electric excavators , and the full mining truck product range will soon be trolley capable . We have a clear vision and roadmap to achieve low fossil fuel solutions in 2022 , along with fossil fuel-free solutions for the majority of applications by 2030 .”
Zero emissions is a big focus - Liebherr says it strives for long-term sustainable solutions , investigating different options centred on safety , cost , reliability , maintainability , and flexibility . “ We offer a full range of electric excavators , and the full mining truck product range will soon be trolley capable . We have a clear vision and roadmap to achieve low fossil fuel solutions in 2022 , along with fossil fuel-free solutions for the majority of applications by 2030 .”
The trolley journey has been an interesting one for the company - in 2013 Liebherr received the initial request from First Quantum Minerals Ltd ( FQML ) for a 360 t trolley capable haul truck for a future mine site in
Panama . The truck would be required to integrate with the trolley power line that FQML had designed and developed for the site . Agreeing to this partnership , two Liebherr T 284 trucks were commissioned in Liebherr ' s new 305 t class T 274 being put through its May and June 2016 paces at Sentinel copper mine in Zambia . Twelve months was allotted for the customer to evaluate the trucks , the trolley , and the customer service . Liebherr engineers began testing , verifying , and calibrating all equipment and systems . The system was successfully installed in September and testing officially began in February and March of 2017 . The trial period was determined a success , leading to an official order for six more trucks at Sentinel , along with 30 trolley assist T 284 trucks for Cobre Panama . And since signing the development contract for the trolley system at Bauma 2019 , VA Erzberg has been testing the modified T 236 diesel-electric truck in its iron-ore mine in Eisenerz , Austria . The tests were conducted on a 500 m long test segment that is now being extended to 5 km with the upper section at around 1,055 m above sea level . The T 236 diesel-electric truck is equipped with trolley bars that connect the truck drive system to the overhead power lines on uphill haulage segments . Together with the drive systems Active Front End technology , fuel consumption is significantly reduced whilst in trolley mode . In the long term , VA Erzberg expects to reduce the truck fleet fuel consumption by approximately three million litres of diesel and 4,200 t of CO 2 per year .
MAY 2021 | International Mining 61