Cat 793F autonomous trucks at a loading face.
Australia
Koodaideri:
A technology benchmark
Edited by Leon Louw
Rio Tinto’s endeavour to develop its USD2.6-billion
automated mine in Western Australia, is on track.
T
he global mining giant recently
announced that it had signed an
agreement with Caterpillar to supply
and support mining machines, automation
and enterprise technology systems for the
new Koodaideri iron ore mine. According
to Chris Salisbury, CEO at Rio Tinto Iron
Ore, the agreement means that Rio Tinto and
Caterpillar will work together in creating an
automated mine operation.
“The mine will make extensive use of data
analytics and integration to enhance safety,
optimise production, boost mining machine
utilisation and lower costs,” says Salisbury.
In terms of the agreement Rio Tinto will be
partnering with Caterpillar and WesTrac, the
regional Cat dealer, to help make Koodaideri
the most technology-enabled and innovative
mine in the company’s Pilbara iron ore
network.
“Technology is rapidly changing our
mining operations as we harness innovation to
make our operations safer, smarter and more
productive. This extension of our partnership
[8] MINING MIRROR JULY 2019
Global
A Cat dozer working autonomously in
an open pit.
with Caterpillar and WesTrac represents an
exciting step for our business,” says Salisbury.
Koodaideri will deliver a new production
hub for Rio Tinto’s iron ore business in the
Pilbara. Construction work has commenced,
and first production is expected in late 2021.
Once complete, the mine will have an annual
capacity of 43 million tonnes, underpinning
production of the Pilbara Blend, Rio Tinto’s
flagship iron ore product.
As mine construction advances, WesTrac
will manage logistics of mining machine
delivery and commissioning and will play a key
role in implementing technology solutions.
High rates of return
Koodaideri will incorporate a processing plant
and infrastructure including a 166km rail line
connecting the mine to the existing Pilbara
network.
Koodaideri Phase 1 will help sustain
Rio Tinto’s existing production capacity by
replacing depletion elsewhere in the system.
The project will increase the higher-value lump
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