Automation Home About Innovation Automation Pioneering Automation and Robotics in Mining We harness new and emerging technologies to make our operations more efficient, safer and more environmentally friendly. And we do this all the way through the mining life cycle: as we explore, design, build, operate and close our assets. Automation has been part of our business for more than a decade, and helps us run safer, more efficient and low cost operations. We are removing driver error and improving safety by increasing the automation of trucks, drills and trains. Our Iron Ore business operates the world’s first fully autonomous, heavy-haul long-distance railway system – AutoHaul™ – which has so far travelled more than 7 million kilometres. Across many of our operations, we are using remotely operated land rovers and drones to do risky jobs and keep our people safe – like checking high walls in open pits and parts inside big machinery. Autonomous trucks Autonomous trains Autonomous drills & charge trucks Operations centres Drones & remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) Robotic process automations Autonomous trucks We run more than 130 autonomous trucks, part of our Autonomous Haulage System, across our Iron Ore operations. The trucks are operated by a supervisory system and a central controller, rather than a driver. The system uses pre-defined GPS courses to automatically navigate haul roads and intersections and knows actual locations, speeds and directions of all vehicles at all times. In 2018, each truck was estimated to have operated on average 700 hours more than conventional haul trucks, with 15% lower costs – delivering clear productivity benefits. They also take truck operators out of harm’s way, reducing the risks associated with working around heavy machinery. ← 1/2 → Helping skill the workforce of the future In Western Australia, where automation may have a disruptive impact on our communities, we launched a partnership with the government of Western Australia and South Metropolitan TAFE (Technical and Further Education) to develop the first nationally recognised courses in automation. This partnership aims to train and certify people in new skills, making them easily transferable – so that people can follow opportunity wherever they find it. READ MORE› RioTinto on Twitter RioTinto Facebook RioTInto on Instagram RioTinto on YouTube RioTinto on LinkedIn CONTACT ACCESSIBILITY MODERN SLAVERY ACT TERMS & CONDITIONS PRIVACY & COOKIES © Rio Tinto 2021. All Rights Reserved. CONFIRM MANAGE COOKIE PREFERENCES Before continuing to use our site, we would like you to consider opting in to the use of cookies in line with our Data Privacy Policy. You may also choose which cookies you are happy for us to use or not agree to any cookies. Please follow the Cookies Preferences link to indicate your preference.