What are the main reasons why mines are looking at autonomous haulage?
Equipment utilization is the most obvious one. Most mines today can't find enough operators, and as a result, they're leaving equipment sitting idle. And related to that is that human operators require interruptions for shift changes, lunch breaks, safety meetings, and other activities, so the equipment doesn't get fully utilized. With autonomous operation, you're unlocking those hours that are not accessible in a conventional operation.
AHS also gives you better consistency of operation. For example, autonomous trucks move at the exact speed they're supposed to, and they line up perfectly with the shovel so that the shovel operator doesn't ever have to ask the driver to re-spot the truck to load correctly. That way, you improve the efficiency of hauling and other aspects of the operation.
AHS also gives you better consistency of operation. For example, autonomous trucks move at the exact speed they're supposed to, and they line up perfectly with the shovel so that the shovel operator doesn't ever have to ask the driver to re-spot the truck to load correctly. That way, you improve the efficiency of hauling and other aspects of the operation.