FLEET AUTOMATION
By fostering a system where machines communicate with each other to execute tasks , the Command Centre diminishes the risk of human exposure to potentially hazardous situations . This ensures that workers can oversee operations without directly being near the machinery , thus safeguarding their well-being .
The FLANDERS ARDVARC Command Centre also optimises the life of machines by effectively managing operations without the need for constant human supervision . By reducing wear and tear caused by frequent human interventions , the ARDVARC extends the operational lifespan of the equipment .
In remote locations where on-site human presence might be challenging , the Command Centre also thrives . Remotely managing operations and executing tasks ensures the same high standards of safety without requiring physical operator presence .
Pronto and Whittle study says bigger not better
Whittle Consulting , a global expert in integrated strategic planning for the mining industry , and Pronto , the Silicon Valley-based autonomy pioneer producing it says “ the world ’ s leading Autonomous Haulage System ,” have released a joint study titled : ‘ Autonomous Swarm Haulage : The Economics of Autonomous Haulage with Small Trucks .’ The study , they say presents “ a groundbreaking analysis demonstrating that when mining haul trucks are automated , bigger is no longer always better .”
Whittle Consulting modelled the net present value ( NPV ) of mining a representative copper orebody through four different scenarios , taking into account all facets of the mining value chain over an 18 year life-of-mine ( LOM ) horizon .
The modelled mine operating with a fleet of autonomous 40-ton haul trucks they say would realise a 31 % greater NPV than if the mine were operated with a fleet of manually driven 100-ton off-road haul trucks . Autonomy significantly improved effective utilisation by reducing truck downtime , standby , and operating delays to 5 % of availability versus 20 % for manual vehicles .
One theorised flaw in the small truck logic was the prospect of traffic congestion caused by the increase in the number of trucks operating in the mine , potentially overcoming the efficiency gains of small truck and automation . In the study ’ s simulations , such traffic congestion did not materialise , according to Pronto and Whittle Consulting .
“ The industry has long debated whether mining economics shift to favour smaller trucks when autonomous ,” said Gerald Whittle , CEO , Whittle Consulting . “ We ’ re excited to publish the first rigorous analysis that demonstrates that for most mines – the answer is yes .”
The study also concluded that converting an existing fleet of haul trucks to autonomous operations increased NPV irrespective of truck size . Both conclusions are consistent with industry experience and past studies , including Whittle Consulting ’ s 2018 Autonomous Haulage Report .
“ This study is exciting because it clearly articulates one of the many ways in which autonomy is revolutionising the global economy today ,” commented Anthony Levandowski , CEO of Pronto . “ The results also illustrate why our strategy has been centred around making automation accessible to the majority of mines and quarries around the world that aren ’ t running the ultra class trucks that the legacy AHS providers have been focused on .”
Pronto had previously demonstrated the commercial benefits of an AHS capable of scaling down to the smallest trucks and smallest operations , and the Pronto-Whittle study it says substantiates that by identifying the specifics of why small trucks are favoured when autonomous : lower maintenance costs , better fuel efficiency , faster haul speeds , narrower benches / steeper pit walls are possible , and better overall fleet utilisation , among others .
On the choice of the 100 ton and 40 ton truck comparison , Pronto told IM that this was a realistic scenario where the same mine could have converted to smaller trucks ( without major infrastructure changes ) so it ’ s more of an apples to apples comparison . Pronto agrees there are lots of follow up studies that can and should be done including an ultra-class operation comparison , plus introducing electrification to the mix .
Wenco Open Autonomy installed on wheel loader at Rio ’ s Channar
At the Channar iron ore mine in the Pilbara , Rio Tinto continues to collaborate with partners , Scania and Wenco , to create an interoperable haulage solution for its autonomous haul trucks . The current project remains centred on what Rio
Whittle Consulting and Pronto say a new groundbreaking analysis demonstrates that when mining haul trucks are automated , bigger is no longer always better
Tinto calls a ‘ Right Sized Autonomous Haulage System ,’ part of its focus on new thinking on truck sizes in mining .
The work to date has been on Scania 8 × 4 XT 40 t class tipper trucks and a major part of the work has been looking at the issue of the sweet spot in truck size and class . Rio Tinto has stated : “ Larger haul trucks , while already automated , consume more energy than current electricvehicle power sources can generate . By exploring truck size , we want to assess how big and small trucks can both be a part of the solution to reduce our emissions in the Pilbara and find fitfor-purpose solutions in mining .”
Ben Rogers , General Manager Services & Delivery Technology at Rio Tinto recently added in an online post on the project drivers : “ Because we ’ ll have the flexibility to take the best autonomous haul truck offerings from our vendor partners to deliver the best outcomes in our operations . This includes accelerating the use of smaller , civil class electric trucks which will help to reduce our mining and operational footprints . This means narrower roads , a smaller mining pit and smaller mobile equipment maintenance infrastructure , creating less waste through the mining process and minimising our impact on the landscape and environment .”
He continued that it has successfully tested spot loading integration using Scania ’ s autonomous trucks with Wenco ’ s Open Autonomy system installed on a wheel loader and says it will continue to trial the joint solution over the next 12 months . Using Wenco ’ s software , the driver defines a loading bay , where the autonomous truck is sent to be loaded . Once the autonomous truck is full , it leaves the loading bay and carries on to the dumping point .
Wenco and parent company Hitachi are championing open standards including the
60 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2023