The number of autonomous mining trucks in operation globally is expected to reach 1,800, reflecting a 70 per cent increase on current levels, according to figures tallied by GlobalData.

The UK-based data analytics firm noted that autonomous hauling trucks reached 1,068 by May 2022, representing an annual increase of 39 per cent from 769 in May 2021.

“The major additions this month came from BHP, which has plans to automate up to 500 haul trucks across its Western Australia iron ore and Queensland coal mines through 2023. Both Canadian Natural Resources and Suncor Energy also plan to add over 100 autonomous trucks to their oil sands mines before the end of 2025.”
GlobalData Report

By country, the largest population of autonomous trucks is in Australia with 706, up from 561 in 2021 and 381 two years earlier. It is followed by Canada with 177, up from 143 to 231, China with 69 and Chile with 33. Autonomous haul trucks are present at 25 mines in Australia alone, compared with 19 across the rest of the world.

As of May 2022, the US had the least number of hauling trucks with only 5 trucks, Ukraine and Norway had 6 trucks, Russia (7) and Sweden (7). These were the countries with less than 10 hauling trucks.

Major Mining Firms With AMTs

Company wise, BHP currently accounts for the largest number of autonomous trucks in operation with 300, followed by Fortescue Metals Group with 193 trucks and Rio Tinto with 187 trucks.

BHP’s numbers include 95 at the Goonyella Riverside mine and have been boosted by its roll out of a fleet of 34 trucks at the Daunia Mine, where the mine’s entire truck fleet is now autonomous, and 42 Komatsu 930E-5 ultra- class haul trucks at its South Flank iron ore mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Meanwhile, Anglo American’s first fleet of autonomous mining trucks has been deployed at its Quellaveco copper project. At the moment, there are 22 fully autonomous trucks on site, with plans for a full fleet of 27 automated trucks by the second half of 2022.

Caterpillar and Komatsu are the two main suppliers of autonomous vehicles, accounting for 86.5% of the trucks tracked by the Mining Intelligence Center, with the 793F and 930E the most popular models for the two Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) respectively.

Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and autonomous technologies in the mining industry are gaining more traction in the industry. These technologies started more than a decade ago with autonomous mining trucks (AMT) or autonomous haulage systems (AHS). Their applications improve the technological, economic and environmental outlook of the mining industry.

By design, the Autonomous Mining Trucks (AMTs) reduce the vulnerability to the risk of equipment contact with auxiliary equipment or equipped manual vehicles. Inside the AMT, all data obtained is compiled so that the software can make a suitable decision. Also, calculating the maximum speed allowed to a nearby equipment or estimated time for an AMT to break are possible decisions. Determining the exact location of every AMT is mandatory to prevent accidents.

With the pursuit of zero casualties and entering of an era of skilled workers shortage in developed countries, it was estimated that by 2020, 50 per cent of the major mining companies in Australia, Europe and the Americas would be using the autonomous products, and some mines have decided to adopt autonomous mining equipment wholly.