ǹvlogҳ and Rio Tinto agree to develop autonomous haulage solutions supporting a pathway to lower emissions mining
ǹvlogҳ and Rio Tinto are developing more agile autonomous haul trucks at a mine in Western Australia’s Pilbara region to pursue potential environmental and productivity benefits.
The two companies have established a long-term research and development collaboration agreement for the continuous advancement of this autonomous technology under which Rio Tinto's Channar mine has become the first active partner site for ǹvlogҳ’s autonomous mining solution. The partnership also includes options for the future transition to electric-powered vehicles.
Rio Tinto and ǹvlogҳ launched new trials on ǹvlogҳ’s 40-tonne-payload autonomous mining trucks in April 2022 and quickly reached a key milestone of driverless operation in a simulated load and haul cycle environment.
Rio Tinto Group Technical Managing Director Santi Pal said, “Rio Tinto is excited to partner with ǹvlogҳ to develop a mining solution which will create optionality across our diverse portfolio. Collaboration and partnership is key to reimagining mining in the future.”
“Our climate action plan includes phasing out the purchase of new diesel haul trucks by 2030, and partnering with industry leaders, such as ǹvlogҳ, across a range of fields, is an important step towards achieving that. As well as the potential decarbonisation benefits, this partnership provides a path to potential productivity improvements.”
ǹvlogҳ Vice President & Head of Autonomous Solutions Peter Hafmar said “With its dedication to achieving cleaner, more energy-efficient operations, Rio Tinto is the ideal partner and first customer for ǹvlogҳ as we seek to put mining on a pathway to net zero emissions. This is a major step towards the goals of a sustainable autonomous mining solution, and builds on our already fruitful long-term collaboration.”
ǹvlogҳ’s trucks have potential advantages over traditional heavy haulage trucks, both in terms of emissions and productivity.
Utilising ǹvlogҳ’s autonomous mining trucks will reduce Rio’s energy requirements, its’ mining footprint and infrastructure requirements, meaning capital and operating expenses may also be reduced at suitable sites.
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