Automation

Northparkes copper mine took its first steps towards underground loader automation back in the 1990s. More than 20 years on, it has become a global showcase for the enormous safety, maintenance and productivity benefits that automation can provide.

The Australian technology industry will only realise the full benefit of automation in the resources sector if vendors become ‘brand agnostic’ and open to collaboration with competitors, according to researchers and industry experts.

National Group’s managing director Mark Ackroyd looks at mining industry trends – past, present and future, renting versus buying machinery and the rise of automation.

Stay on top of the most popular stories on Australian Mining over the past week, including BHP’s plan to introduce autonomous haulage at an east coast coal operation for the first time.

BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) plans to introduce autonomous haulage at the Goonyella Riverside coal mine in central Queensland next year without any forced redundancies.

Autonomous equipment has emerged in some areas of mining, but minerals processing remains a sector where uptake of the technology has been limited. That’s not to say it isn’t possible.

The Volvo Group plans to accelerate the development and commercialisation of autonomous transport solutions, with the mining industry a key target.

Leading global technology companies speak with Vanessa Zhou about what the next technological developments will bring to the mining industry.

Epiroc has brought new standards of productivity and safety to underground mining through its Scooptram Automation Total.

Andy Ewe speaks with Global Mining Guidelines chair Michelle Ash about a technology-related question that persists in mining circles – will the robots take our jobs? The advent of automation on mine sites has caused controversy and divide amongst miners, creating automation anxiety that is felt throughout the industry. Pilbara iron ore mines in Western … Continue reading Overcoming automation anxiety in future workforces →

Stay on top of the most popular stories on Australian Mining over the past week, including Anglo American’s decision to delay the introduction of autonomous trucks at an east coast coal mine.

Sandvik has released the 800i series of connected cone crushers to include three new high-performance crushers with automation and connectivity systems (ACS) as standard.

Customers of Phoenix Contact can now extend the warranty of their power supplies products to five years, when they install a surge protection device with the products.

Stay on top of the most popular stories on Australian Mining over the past week, including another significant find at the Beta Hunt gold mine in Western Australia.

Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology has launched the Sandvik DT1132i jumbo, an underground drill rig for tunnelling excavation.

Fortescue Metals Group’s fleet of autonomous haul trucks in the Pilbara has surpassed the one billion tonne milestone of material moved, covering 33.5 million kilometres in the process.

Epiroc has secured a $US68 million ($99 million) contract from Codelco for service of mining equipment at the Andina copper mine near Santiago in Chile.

Australian Mining speaks with Komatsu Australia chief executive Sean Taylor about what an agreement to deploy haul trucks at BHP’s South Flank project means for the company and Western Australia.

Komatsu will deploy 41 automation-ready Komatsu 930E-5 ultra-class haul trucks at BHP’s South Flank iron ore project in the Pilbara, Western Australia from next month.

Sandvik has extended its My Sandvik portal to non-Sandvik brands after originally designing the platform for its own fleet.