TECHNOLOGY
Game changer The rise of automation is leading to great things for the slumping coal industry . According to Valle , modernizing coal mining in an era of productivity gains requires the company to work smarter . “ To do this , we need high performing teams and we must ensure our people have the opportunities to develop their careers through mobility in the industry . There are also opportunities to improve productivity across the coal supply chain , including the costs of railing , trucking and shipping our coal to market , particularly Australia .”
Lower than expected coal prices have caused many companies to shut down mines and lay off workers . With the introduction of driverless trucks , BHP is converting the stale industry into the next generation of mining .
“ We are making some hard decisions and working to transform the culture of our industry and our business to ensure it is successful ,” says Valle . “ We have invested in systems to standardize many aspects of the way we manage our business all over the world .”
The future The use of autonomous trucks is
“ It ’ s part of our long term strategy to investigate mining technology options to drive safety , productivity and efficiency ”
- BHP ’ s president of coal , Dean Dalla Valle
30 June 2014