SURFACE MINING TRUCKS
operating in heavy off-road vehicles in remote and harsh environments has been in use since the early 2000s so starting Auto-mate ’ s system trials for mining there was seen an opportunity rather than a setback . The trials were designed to test a range of key scenarios all previously completed in a simulation environment . This included loading and dumping at predetermined locations , a range of haulage scenarios , obstacle and void detection , and performing load and dumping tasks . Where the autonomous vehicle detected an obstacle , it would slow down , assess the risk and , if safe , choose the optimal path around the obstacle or void . The engineering team currently running the trial in Israel is expected to arrive in Australia mid-year 2022 to further test Auto-mate ’ s solution at a site in Western Australia .
The autonomy system from Auto-mate is not only scalable and retrofittable , but is progressive , helping customers move from Level 3 conditional automation to Level 5 ( full automation ) – a stepping stone solution useful for smaller and mid-Tier mines that may want to prove the technology first . While the hardware is similar to other autonomous truck solutions namely radar , LiDAR , high resoution cameras – smart technology provides situational awareness and deep machine learning through the systems and sensors embedded on the vehicle – delivering truly smart vehicles rather than standard vehicles controlled by means of a smart control centre . Should communications be temporarily lost , the vehicle will keep operating in order to complete its mission , thus avoiding any loss of productivity or delays due to downtime . The open architecture of Auto-mate ’ s solution also allows it to integrate with existing systems and mixed fleets , lowering implementation costs and giving visibility across the fleet . The customer can use the data generated for forecasting and operational improvements .
Considerable interest has already been indicated by industry to see Auto-mate ’ s Cat 775 put through its paces in an operational environment . Auto-mate says it has progressed with the development of its autonomous solution in parallel for further applications in response to market interest . This includes application on the Bis Rexx hauler , the 160 t innovative mining truck with multiple steering and driving axles , enabling it to handle gradients of up to 12 % when fully loaded . Rexx has already been widely trialled , including at Griffin Coal ’ s Ewington mine , Gold Fields ’ Granny Smith mine and Glencore ’ s Murrin Murrin nickel operation , all in Western Australia .
Liebherr ’ s T 264 and T 284 on the up
Thiess says its five new electric drive Liebherr T 264s are making an impression in Chile with their distinctive Thiess-blue trays , cementing its commitment to growing in the region . The trucks expand Thiess ’ 240 t fleet range to deliver clients productivity and efficiency gains by allowing faster cycle times and higher load capacity . The units have been deployed to client Antofagasta Minerals ’ Encuentro Oxides copper project ( part of Minera Centinela ), where Thiess carries out drilling , load and haul , mobile equipment maintenance and mine services .
Thiess Executive General Manager Americas , Darrell White , said the arrival of the highly efficient T 264 trucks was a first in Chile and demonstrated Thiess ’ investment in sustainable mining practices and delivering clients optimised solutions . “ The new T 264s feature electric drive and higher load capacity than similar class trucks currently used in Chile , providing our clients with the opportunity to increase production capacity ,” White said . “ They also support our efforts to service our clients with sustainable solutions while operating reliable , safe and productive operations . The blue trays make a real statement about our team – they ’ re a first in Chile and they symbolise the unique service offer our team brings to the industry .”
Last year , Liebherr Chile ’ s Mining Division Director Dale Clayton stated : “ The T 264 truck has a 240 t nominal payload capacity and an impressive payload to empty vehicle weight ratio , leading to faster acceleration speeds , better speed on grade and higher hauling capacity resulting in shorter cycle times and a lower cost per tonne . The combination of a high-power Cummins QSK60 2,700 hp diesel engine with the extremely efficient Liebherr AC electric propulsion system allows for maximum productivity and reduced downtime . Our La Negra Facility and Reman Centre is well placed to provide spare parts and components as well as training and technical support , and our teams are experienced in servicing mining fleet in the
Liebherr has also developed a new 305 t truck , the T 274 which bridges the gap between the highly successful T 284 ( 363 t ), and the recently introduced T 264 ( 240 t )
unique conditions Chile offers .”
In 2015 , construction began on the Encuentro Oxides project at the Minera Centinela operation . It uses seawater without desalination , similar to Centinela Sulfuros and Minera Antucoya . It is located in the second region of Chile , 145 km northeast of the city of Antofagasta . The operation started production in October 2017 and is currently expected to operate until 2026 . It is producing approximately 43,000 t / y of copper cathode using the existing capacity at Centinela ’ s SX-EW plant . Under the Encuentro Oxides deposit lies the Encuentro Sulphides deposit which in the future is set to be mined after the new Esperanza Sur pit – both operations would supply a new second concentrator .
In 2013 , Liebherr received an initial request from FQML to develop a 360 t trolley-capable haul truck for mine sites in Panama and Zambia . The trucks were required to integrate with the trolley power line that FQML had designed and developed for the sites .
Agreeing to this partnership , Liebherr engineers began developing , testing and verifying the trolley solution . Two Liebherr T 284 trucks with the Trolley Assist System were commissioned at Sentinel copper mine in Zambia in 2016 and testing of the trolley solution began in February of 2017 , with 12 months allotted for the customer to evaluate the trucks , the trolley and the customer service .
At the end of the trial period , FQML expressed it was pleased with the results of the Trolley Assist System and the performance of the T 284 , leading to an order for six more trolley-capable T 284 trucks at Sentinel mine , along with 30- trolley-capable T 284 trucks for Cobre Panama copper mine in Panama , Liebherr says .
62 International Mining | MAY 2022