Autonomous mining trucks and equipment connected Pit Vipers are every miner’s dream
Have you ever experienced a self-driving vehicle? Or perhaps the better question is: can you truly "drive" something that is automated? The advent of autonomous vehicles could revolutionize not just how we travel, but also how we conceptualize driving. In a world where cars are fully self-sufficient, would a driver’s license even be necessary?
Shifting focus, let's explore a specific type of autonomous vehicle introduced during a project at Ericsson Consumer & IndustryLab, in collaboration with Swedish mining company Boliden AB. Boliden operates eight mines, including Aitik, the largest open pit mine in Europe, located in northern Sweden. Covering three square kilometers, Aitik is a major copper mine that also yields gold and silver. Shifting focus, let's explore a specific type of autonomous vehicle introduced during a project at Ericsson Consumer & IndustryLab, in collaboration with Swedish mining company Boliden AB. Boliden operates eight mines, including Aitik, the largest open pit mine in Europe, located in northern Sweden. Covering three square kilometers, Aitik is a major copper mine that also yields gold and silver.
Autonomous mining trucks and equipment boosts productivity and increases efficiency
The project aimed to address a challenge at Aitik: increasing ore production by 25% in a cost-effective manner. This required handling massive quantities of rock and ore, which translates to boosting annual capacity from 65-70 million metric tons to at least 90 million. To achieve this, super-sized vehicles are essential.
Key to this process are the enormous drill rigs known as Pit Vipers. Standing 30 meters tall, these rigs drill 17-meter-deep holes, which are then loaded with explosives to blast vast quantities of rock for transport.
To increase production, simply adding more Pit Vipers isn't feasible due to high costs and potential safety and environmental impacts. Instead, automating the existing Pit Vipers presents a smarter solution, potentially saving Boliden 2.5 million euros annually and maintaining manageable logistics for transporting workers. Automated operations also reduce fuel consumption by up to 10%, cutting CO2 emissions by around 9,400 metric tons annually for Aitik's fleet.
Why are autonomous mining machines more efficient? Unlike human operators, who might drill deeper than necessary, machines precisely follow instructions, leading to better resource utilization and a reduced environmental footprint.
The automation of Pit Vipers involves retrofitting them with remote-control features, cameras, and upgraded control systems, enabling remote assessments for certain tasks where human judgment is indispensable.
Mobile communications infrastructure as the enabler for autonomous mining equipment
A reliable mobile communications infrastructure, primarily based on WiFi, has been crucial for these automated operations. However, for complete remote control and enhanced automation, a robust 4G or 5G network would be ideal, enabling comprehensive connectivity, remote management, and precise tracking across the mine.
The potential for increased efficiency in mining through automation is immense. As technology evolves, the roles humans play will shift, but new opportunities will arise, leading us into a future where self-driving vehicles might become the norm.