Rio Tinto has invested US$518 M in developing the world's first automated long-distance heavy-haul Pilbara iron ore rail network in Western Australia.
The first driverless train will be introduced in 2014 and the firm anticipates achieving the AutoHaul automated train programme within another year.
AutoHaul is considered as the foremost objective of the Rio Tinto's Mine of the Future initiative’s automation component that encompasses autonomous drills and driverless trucks. Rio Tinto’s 1,500 km rail network now includes 41 trains running from mines to ports that involve 9,400 iron ore cars and 148 locomotives.
Following the automating train operations, Rio Tinto will expand Pilbara production capacity, without necessitating significant investment in additional trains. As a result, there will be increased versatility in train scheduling, eliminating driver changeover times, and promoting increased rail network capacity that contributes to enhanced productivity. Furthermore, the energy costs and carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced with each tonne of iron ore production, demonstrating high efficiency in fuel consumption.
According to the Rio Tinto chief executive Australia and Iron Ore Sam Walsh, Rio Tinto is the first to launch large-scale use of automation, installing 150 driverless trucks and developing AutoHaul. Rio Tinto will benefit from the expansion of Pilbara iron ore production. Automation will enable a cost-effective and efficient method of achieving the expansion targets. It will also facilitate executing several industrial analyses that promote productivity.
AutoHaul and the other expansion of rail operations anticipate achieving State Government and other approvals.
Source: http://www.riotinto.com/