Implementation of Autonomous Systems Project

This project developed the recently-published Guideline for the Implementation of Autonomous Systems in Mining. It is now in its implementation stage.

Description

This guideline provides a framework for mining stakeholders to follow when establishing autonomous mining projects ranging from single autonomous vehicles and hybrid fleets to highly autonomous fleets. It offers guidance on how stakeholders should approach autonomous mining and describes common practices.

• Change management
• Developing a business case
• Health and safety and risk management
• Regulatory engagement
• Community and social impact
• Operational readiness and deployment

This guideline provides mining companies and OEMs with the tools for the implementation of autonomous mining from planning to final stages. Drawing on lessons learned from other industries, it covers new and existing mining operations, all stages of material processing, and various levels of autonomy.

Business Case

The creation of a unified autonomous mining system is part of the industry’s vision of future mining, and it has been gaining momentum in recent years. All sectors are affected by its advancement, and there is a need for a comprehensive guideline for implementing autonomous systems.

The industry will benefit from this guideline, which will:

• Increase collaborative and constructive communication with regulators.
• Help manufacturers and technology providers adjust their innovation and development strategies.
• Unify the industry by making mining companies’ process controls more consistent.
• Promote the integration of innovative new technologies from parallel industries.

The successful implementation of autonomous systems adds clear value: it can increase production efficiency, lower maintenance costs, and improve safety. It also, however, presents challenges including security and safety risks and workforce and workflow changes. This guideline will not only assist in maximizing the value of autonomy but will also provide a framework for mitigating risks and managing change.

Participating Companies

3D-P, ABB, Accenture, acQuire Technology Solutions, Adria Manufacturing Inc., Agnico Eagle, Alcoa, Alex Atkins & Associates, Alma de Papel, Amazon, AMDAD, AMIRA, AMSA, AMTC, Anglo American, AngloGold Ashanti, Antofagasta Minerals, Antucoya Mine, Apex Automation, Applied Mining Technologies, ArcelorMittal, ARIGAL, Asociación Peruana de Control Automático en Minería, Austrobots, Automated Systems Alliance, Autonomous Earthmoving Systems, Autonomous Solutions, AVST Consulting, Barrick Gold, Batchfire Resources, BBA, Bestech, BGC Contracting, BHP, Blast Movement Technologies, Bluwrap, BMT, Boliden, British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines, C3 Human Factors, Calibre Global, Capstone Mining Corp., Caterpillar, Cementation, CEMI, CF Mining, CGM, CheckMark Consulting, Cia Minera Antamina, Cia Minera Quenchua S.A., Cia Minera Poderosa S.A., CITIC Pacific Mining, CMOC International, Codelco, Codelco Tech, Commercialize Pty Ltd., Commit Works, Compañia Minera Zaldívar, ComStock Mining, Consiac TI, Consorcio Inversiones Pacifico, CONTAC, CORFO, CSA Group, CSIRO, Czro Inc., Dassault Systèmes, Data Peru, De Beers, Deloitte, Desert Falcon Consulting, Dexcent, DMC Mining, Driver Industrial, Endevea, Epiroc, Equifax Perú S.A., Erdenes Mongol LLC, ETF Mining Equipment, Eye3, Farellones Ingenieria, Finning, Flanders Electric, Flow Partners, Fostergy, Freeport-McMoRan, Fundación Chile, GEOBLAST, GeoSystems Analysis, Glencore, Global IO, Global Research, Gold Fields, Goldcorp, Government of Alberta, GS1, GV Mapper, Hard-Line, Hatch, Haultrax, HC-GROUP, Hexagon Mining, Hochschild Mining, Howden Simsmart Technologies, Hudbay Minerals, Iamgold, Icono Advisory, Ikkuna, IMagosoft, iMineros, Imperial Oil, Indimin, Innovative Wireless Technologies, INTER SERVICE, InterSystems Chile & Latam, Ionic, ITI Solutions, JVA, Kenna Metal, Kinross Gold, Komatsu, Kouchi, Larrain y Salas, Liebherr, Lockheed Martin, Lundin Mining, LTMT Consulting, Machine Sensory, MacLean Engineering, Maptek, Marcotte Mining, Marcus Punch Pty., McEwen Mining, McKinsey, METS Ignited, MG Trading, Microvast, Mine Connector, Minera Candelaria, Minera Chinalco Peru S.A., Minera Las Bambas, Mineopoly Pty., Minera Yanacocha, Mine Vision Systems, Minetec, MineWare, Mining3, Mitacom, Mitsui Minerals Resources, Modular Mining Systems, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Mongolian Mining Company, Monico, Moose Mountain, Mosaic, Motion Metrics, MST Global, MTGA, NASA, National Research Council Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Nevsun Resources Ltd., Newmont, Nexa Resources S.A., NHP Electrical Engineering, Nick Courtois Automation & Technology Consultant, NIOSH, Normet, Nueva Union, Nutrien, Off World, Olio Technology Solutions, Ontario Ministry of Labour, Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, OP3 Consulting Pty Ltd., Optimal Mining Solutions, ORICA, Origin, Organum Technology, OSIsoft, PACE, Partners in Performance, Pattern Discovery, Peck Tech, Pivot Industries Limited, Polaris Australia, Protab, Proudfoot Consulting, Queen’s University, QUT, R&O Analytics, RapidBizApps, RCT, Real IRM, Red3H Triple Hélice para el Desarollo, Rigid Robotics, Rio Tinto, Robotic 3D Systems, Rock-Tech, Rockford Engineering Works, Rockwell Automation, Ronin8 Technologies, Roy Hill, RPM Global, Sandvik, Scania, Schneider Electric, SDMT, Seequent, Seyo, SHYFT, Sibanye-Stillwater, Siemens, Sitech, skymineUAV, SMART Systems Group, SMM Gold Cote, SMS Equipment, Split Engineering, SRK Consulting, SSR Mining, ST Computacion, Stantec, Strata Worldwide, Strategy Focused Innovation, Suncor, Symbiotic Innovations, Syncrude, Synergistics, Technology Miner, Teck, Teletrac Navman, The Open Group, Thiess, TKM Consulting Inc., Torex Gold, Toromont CAT, TrackVia, Trade and Investment Queensland, Trimble, Trust Journey, TyreSafe Australia, Universal Field Robots, Universidad Mayor, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of Queensland, Unmanned Arial Services, Uptake, Vale, VectORE, Virtual Business Links, VIST Group, Western Australia Department of Mines Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS), Whitehaven Coal, and WSP Mining.