- Write by:
-
Friday, October 22, 2021 - 13:50:55
-
524 Visit
-
Print
Mining News Pro - Rio Tinto has set a target of 80 per cent autonomous haul trucks in 2022, as it seeks to reduce costs while satisfying demand for materials.
Speaking at Rio Tinto’s investor seminar on October 20, Iron Ore chief executive Simon Trott explained the need for more efficient mining operations.
“Our work index has increased by around 40 per cent over the last three years with higher strip ratios and longer haul distances,” Trott said.
“Focusing on waste movement and maintaining pit health is a priority. The amount of waste we need to move each year is increasing.
“Our strip ratio was 1.4 in 2018 and has increased year on year to 1.8 in 2021, placing upwards pressure on our mining costs and reinforcing the importance of our productivity programme.”
This has led to a need for more autonomous vehicle activity for Rio Tinto and results have already been realised by the company.
In the last three years, Rio’s haul truck utilisation has improved by 5 per cent, according to Trott, while maximum payloads have also been handled better.
The 80 per cent autonomous haulage target will come off the back of a record year for Rio Tinto, as 2021 is forecast to see the commissioning of more autonomous haul trucks than any other.
Trott says haulage is only one part of the cost reduction and mine performance improvements going on at Rio Tinto.
“In addition to load and haul fleet productivity, I am expanding our focus to mine 40 development activities, including drill and blast – where we are focusing on improving broken stocks to build resilience,” Trott said.
Rio’s Gudai-Darri iron ore mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia will contribute significantly to the company’s autonomous targets, after multiple contracts were signed with Caterpillar for the technology.
These contracts included autonomous Caterpillar 793 zero-emission haul trucks to be tested and deployed under a prototype pilot program at Gudai-Darri.
The 220-tonne haul trucks will work alongside Caterpillar’s autonomous water trucks, in a further step to reduce emissions and improve productivity.
Gudai-Darri is set to begin operations in the first quarter of 2022.
Short Link:
https://www.miningnews.ir/En/News/616882
Rio Tinto on Wednesday announced a deal to buy power from a new solar farm in Queensland as it seeks to green its ...
Mining News Pro - Rio Tinto has completed the acquisition of PanAmerican Silver’s stake in Agua de la Falda.
Mining News Pro - Rio Tinto has signed an initial agreement with the Yindjibarndi people and Philippines’ ACEN to look ...
Mining News Pro - Rio Tinto reported a 1.2% rise in its third-quarter iron ore shipments on Tuesday, as the ...
Mining News Pro - Rio Tinto reported a 1.2% rise in its third-quarter iron ore shipments on Tuesday, as the ...
Mining News Pro - Rio Tinto has once again cut production targets for its iron ore operations in Canada, citing extended ...
Mining News Pro - Damage caused to an Aboriginal rock shelter by mining giant Rio Tinto in August underscores the need ...
Mining News Pro - Rio Tinto has been solely funding preparatory work at the blocks it holds at Simandou, one of the ...
Mining News Pro - Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) announced Wednesday it has reached an agreement with the government of Madagascar ...
No comments have been posted yet ...