where cost is spread out over
multiple years. Brown believes
that “as this industry continues
to mature, the cost of dependent
technologies like radio, GPS,
LiDAR and others will continue
to become more affordable,
making vehicle robotics much
more affordable as a result.”
n
n
Scalability/change management:
what does the change
management package look like?
How can people be encouraged
to embrace the change instead
of opposing it? How should any
operating best practices change?
What is the optimal number of
autonomous vehicles in a pit?
These are some of the questions
that focus on the sustaining of
autonomy.
n
n
Labour/people/social
licensing:
one of the stigmas of
autonomous haulage is that it
will take jobs away. However,
some mine operators currently
working with AHS trucks do
not feel that there would be
a significant net reduction in
jobs. While installations may
eliminate some jobs, they should
encourage training for other
skilled positions. For example,
there would still be manpower
required to support the system.
Given that there is typically
a local labour commitment
to open new mines in remote
locations, semi-autonomy could
help lower-skilled workers with
operations. Mines frequently
retrain their operators to handle
new positions or reassign them
to understaffed areas.
Conclusion
The future of fleet management
systems is here: autonomous
haulage. As a step-change evolution
from automated information flow to
automated vehicle control and mine
execution, the technology has
improved dramatically within recent
years. Early investors in AHS have
started reaping the benefits from
their collaboration with OEMs and
technology providers.
Although autonomous haulage
does have some roadblocks along the
way to obtaining more widespread
acceptance, it is paving the way to
improving efficiency, utilisation and
recovery of commodities. Focused
on cost savings, safety initiatives and
production increases, autonomy can
allow lower margin mines to
succeed, thereby increasing
economically viable mineral
resources and reserves globally.
Note
The author is a mining engineer and blogger
about mining operations, equipment and
technology. The author's blog can be found
at:
Reference
1. PARREIRA, J., “An interactive
simulation model to compare an
autonomous haulage truck system
with a manually-operated system”,
Ph.D. Thesis (University of British
Columbia, Canada; 2013).
PH I L I PP I - HAGENBUCH , I NC .
“Helping You Move Mountains
®
”
Look us up
on the go!
MAXIMUM CAPACITY. MINIMUM WASTE.
PHIL custom engineers every HiVol Body resulting in
durable, high capacity bodies that maximize efficiency
and reduce downtime, for a global audience.
1
2
3
1
2
3
PHIL HiVol Bodies typically exceed
capacity giving more production
per hour.
Low center of gravity and optimized
weight distribution ensures smooth
travel and advanced safety.
High strength steel used throughout
HiVol Bodies often provides longer
life with decreased maintenance.
