Kodiak Robotics , Inc ., a leading autonomous truck developer , and Atlas Energy Solutions Inc . have announced that Atlas has completed the delivery of 100 loads of proppant with its two RoboTrucks , semitrucks equipped with the Kodiak Driver , Kodiak ’ s self-driving system . This milestone marks the first time ever that a customer has taken ownership of a RoboTruck and launched driverless commercial semi-trucking operations .

The initial driverless operations , which were announced in July 2024 , involved Kodiak delivering Atlas ’ s frac sand along a 21-mile offroad route in West Texas ’ s Permian Basin with Kodiak-owned driverless trucks . With Kodiak providing the self-driving technology for these initial Atlas-owned RoboTrucks , Atlas is now able to complete its own driverless deliveries across the 75,000 square mile Permian Basin in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico . Kodiak says this sets it apart as the first company in the autonomous trucking industry to launch commercial driverless trucking operations .

“ This is an incredible moment , for us and for the autonomous trucking industry as we have officially delivered a commercial RoboTruck to a customer and launched commercial operations ,” said Don Burnette , Founder and CEO , Kodiak . “ The commercialisation of autonomous trucks has been a goal for the industry for many years , and it has now come to fruition . Kodiak is the first company to make autonomous trucking a real business , and this is a major step towards profitability for our company .”

Atlas intends to scale its RoboTruck deployment considerably over the course of 2025 with multiple RoboTruck deployments expected throughout the year . Given the scale and scope of operations in the Permian Basin , Kodiak announced that it has established an office in Odessa , Texas to support Atlas ’ s operations . The 18,000-square-foot facility houses a team of 12 Kodiak employees , and is projected to grow to approximately 20 people by the end of Q1 2025 .

Kodiak ’ s launch of a driverless trucking service coincides with Atlas ’ s first deliveries of sand off of the Dune Express , a 42-mile long , fully-electric conveyor system that carries sand from Atlas ’ s Kermit , Texas sand facility to an endof-line loadout facility in eastern New Mexico . Atlas ’ s Kodiak-driver equipped , autonomous RoboTrucks are expected to move sand from the Dune Express to Atlas ’ s customers across the Delaware Basin .

The Dune Express is part of Atlas ’ s strategy to automate the entire logistics process for sand delivery to make it safer , more efficient , and more reliable . It also aims to eliminate millions of truck miles driven on public roads across the Permian , reducing traffic and improving safety .

“ Incorporating these driverless RoboTrucks into our operations is a significant advancement in the automation of our business , enhancing our ability to maintain a fundamentally safe and reliable service at the best price for our customers ,” said John Turner , CEO , Atlas . “ Becoming the first company to operate our own autonomous semi-trucks and reaching 100 successful autonomous proppant deliveries demonstrates our unique commitment to driving innovation and automation across the Permian Basin ’ s rugged terrain , dust , and heat .”

Prior to launching driverless operations with Atlas , Kodiak successfully completed its safety case , which is a comprehensive evaluation that demonstrates the safety and readiness of its self-driving system , within Atlas ’ s operating domain . The delivery of the world ’ s first customer-owned driverless RoboTrucks for industrial operations happened in December 2024 , and driverless service with these trucks commenced on December 18 , 2024 . This is the first stage in Kodiak ’ s commercialisation roadmap . As a next step , Kodiak will extend its safety case to highways for its long-haul customers .

The Kodiak Driver-equipped RoboTrucks feature Kodiak ’ s sixth generation platform , which includes all the redundant components required for operations without a safety driver . This includes Kodiak ’ s proprietary SensorPods™ ; pre-calibrated modular units that house all the sensors needed for autonomous driving , enabling fast and easy repairs . https :// kodiak . ai ; https :// www . atlas . energy

Nexa deploys Cat R2900 XE LHDs in Peru

Zinc-copper-lead-silver miner Nexa has incorporated a fleet of Cat R2900 XE lowprofile loaders into its mining operations in Peru , supplied by Ferreyros , a leader in heavy machinery . These are the first low-profile loaders with electric transmission and diesel engine in Peruvian underground mining . Ferreyros says they stand out for reducing fuel consumption per tonne produced and the resulting carbon emissions , and for increasing productivity , agility and loading capacity , reflecting the innovation of the Caterpillar portfolio .

The incorporation of this new technology strengthens Nexa ’ s commitment to sustainability and the decarbonisation of its operations . As part of its ESG strategy , the company aims to reduce 52,000 t of CO 2 equivalent in direct emissions ( Scope 1 ) by 2030 , achieve carbon neutrality in 2040 and completely eliminate its net emissions by 2050 . Nexa ’ s focus on technological solutions , in addition to

reinforcing its ESG strategy to reduce emissions , also seeks to generate cost optimisation . “ With the addition of this diesel-electric equipment , we are moving towards more modern and sustainable operations . These loaders do not require additional infrastructure and offer immediate benefits , such as lower fuel consumption , lower maintenance costs and better protection of fuel quality . air in mine ,” said Héctor Portugal , Nexa Supply Manager .

With a load capacity of 18.5 t , these Caterpillar LHDs incorporate advanced technologies that contribute to optimal condition monitoring , improve operational efficiency and increase mine safety . Additionally , they can be operated remotely and are designed to evolve towards full autonomy in the future .

Ferreyros , a strategic partner of Nexa for more than 35 years , supports the operation of the mine ’ s extensive fleet of low-profile loaders and

other Caterpillar equipment . The company says it offers personalised after-sales support through maintenance contracts that include specialised technical assistance in the mine , supply of spare parts and resident personnel in operations , ensuring high levels of equipment availability .

Nexa Peru currently holds three polymetallic mining units in operation : Cerro Lindo ( Ica ), El Porvenir ( Pasco ) and Atacocha ( Pasco ). It also features a portfolio of polymetallic and copper greenfield projects with advanced exploration . The company belongs to Nexa Resources , the metals and mining division of Votorantim . https :// www . nexaresources . com / en /; https :// www . ferreyros . com . pe

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