TECHNOLOGY
BHP has been working with heavy machinery expert Caterpillar to produce driverless mining trucks
BHP operates automated drilling processes within its Western Australia operations
isn ’ t a new one for BHP . Since 2007 , BHP has been working with heavy machinery expert Caterpillar to innovative driverless vehicles , applying the game-changing systems into its iron operations in the Pilbara region of Australia . Since 2011 , the company has been testing the high-tech systems for its coal business with trials in New Mexico .
The trials are aimed at testing the process and technology required to safely and efficiently operate these unmanned vehicles in a production environment as well as understand the production benefits and safety implications of using them .
Recently the company announced its looking to expand its driverless truck technology to coal mines in eastern Australia with a rollout planned later this year .
“ There ’ s no doubt it will happen , and I ’ d like to think that within 12 months we will be running trials ,” said Valle .
One of the biggest benefits of robotic trucks is the ability to cut costs . With the use of unmanned vehicles , the company can reduce overhead , including the need to house , feed and employ four drivers . It can also improve efficiency and
28 June 2014