Autonomous truck deal for Roy Hill

Iron ore miner Roy Hill Holdings is taking a further leap into the world of autonomous mining, selecting Epiroc and ASI Mining to convert its fleet of 77 trucks from manned to driverless use.

Roy Hill already operates autonomous drilling rigs at its Pilbara mine, while other big players such as Rio Tinto run autonomous trucks and trains.

Epiroc is a Swedish manufacturer, while ASI is headquartered in Utah.

They will work with Wenco, which created the fleet management system, and truck maker Hitachi.

The company’s mine ships about 55 million tonnes per annum from its berths in Port Hedland, with plans to grow capacity to 65mtpa.

Roy Hill chief executive Barry Fitzgerald said the business was in a good place to move further into automation.

“Our teams on site and in our remote operations centre in Perth have demonstrated a clear capacity to deliver complex projects, sustainable change and operational excellence with the recent success of the autonomous drill program and fleet optimisation initiatives. 

“Now is the right time to bring the combined expertise of Roy Hill, Epiroc, ASI Mining and Wenco together to convert our haul truck fleet.

“Our chairman Gina Rinehart, and our owners Hancock Prospecting, Marubeni, POSCO and China Steel Corporation, have led this project from the start in the interests of staff safety and sustainable productivity.

“Their vision has set us a challenge to seek out partners who have an aligned tenacity and commitment to bring viable autonomous solutions to the table, and I look forward to realising the significant safety and productivity benefits that will come with this shared goal.”

ASI is 34 per cent owned by Epiroc, and the company says it has automated more than 1,000 vehicles.