Komatsu has deployed an unprecedented 41 new model Komatsu 930E-5 ultra-class haul trucks, made autonomous ready, at BHP’s new South Flank iron ore mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

930E Komatsu truck preparing for BHP site at CoE proving-ground

According to Sean Taylor, Komatsu Australia’s CEO and Managing Director, people powered technology is the Company’s central philosophy.

“It is this people first approach to technology that we feel we share with BHP,” said Mr Taylor.

“Komatsu focuses on autonomous technology driven job creation, with focus on safety, diversity, upskilling and an innovative flexible work force that marries our people’s needs with business goals. This is our blueprint for the future.”

Not only does Komatsu Australia have a proven record in safety, productivity and lower haulage costs, but prides itself on its ground-breaking contributions to autonomous technology solutions in the industry.

Leo Kaloglou, Komatsu Australia’s Executive General Manager – Mining, said that it was Komatsu Australia who 20 years ago spearheaded the world first automation of mining equipment, which is now known to the industry as Autonomous Haulage Systems (AHS).

“Komatsu has 250 AHS trucks deployed and 180 operating now globally across nine mine sites, and recently became the first autonomous truck qualified to operate on private long-term evolution (LTE) mobile broadband technology in commercial operations.

“The operation of FrontRunner AHS technology has been tested across three different commodities in three of the harshest and most extreme environments in the world,

“With over 2 billion tonnes of material moved autonomously – more than all other commercial mining autonomous haulage systems – with zero resulting injuries,” continued Mr Kaloglou.

“While the transport sector automates, including cars and trains, the sheer size and scale of our machinery and the harsh environments in which they operate, indicate the impressive capabilities of our engineers and technical teams who make these challenges surmountable,” concluded Mr Kaloglou.

*Article published in the October-December 2019 issue of The Asia Miner