The Future of Automation and Heavy Mining Equipment

Hitachi Construction Machinery recently announced that they are set to trial autonomous, ultra-large hydraulic excavators on Australian mine sites. A Hitachi spokesperson explained that the tests, expected to commence in April 2021, are designed to improve future safety and mine productivity, and are just one incremental step in the journey towards an automated future.

Automation has been long-touted as the future of the mining industry, promising to increase profits, reduce project times and minimise the risks faced by on-the-ground workers — particularly as operators move to increasingly remote sites.

But what kind of real advantages will self-driving excavators bring? How will they integrate with existing processes (and personnel) to ensure seamless integration? Is automation just a fad, or are these robotised workers here to stay?

With resource-access and financing two impending issues facing the industry, let’s learn a little more about automated excavators and what they can offer mining companies moving forward.

What is an excavator?

Also known as a digger, an excavator is considered to be one of the most valuable pieces of mining equipment. It is responsible for digging trenches, making it easier to extract materials and resources. Excavators use a bucket attached to an arm to pull material towards the driver and are able to clear hundreds of cubic metres of material a day — hence their vital role in the overall mining process.

As with all types of machinery, there are different kinds of excavators to suit different kinds of projects. A dragline excavator is commonly used on mining sites, due to its hefty size and digging capacity. Backhoe excavators, although a little smaller, are also a popular choice in mining due to their versatility.

National Plant & Equipment, part of the National Group specialises in the hire of heavy earthmoving equipment such as excavators. For more information, consult with an excavator hire company such as National Plant & Equipment, they will be able to provide you with all the relevant information and technical specifications on particular mining excavators for hire.

Automation and mining — two peas in a pod

Over the past few decades, the mining industry has taken great strides to improve worker safety. Gone are the days of creaky carts, pickaxes and dimly lit caves. Mining sites now rely heavily on all types of automated equipment, improving their bottom line whilst ensuring the safety of their employees.

Mining sites that have already implemented automated machinery, including BHP’s iron ore mines in Pilbara, WA and Resolute’s Syama gold mine in Mali, have recorded significant increases in productivity and impressive savings related to labour and personnel costs.

Automation of heavy mining equipment

Hitachi has a long history of developing automatic excavators, dating back to 1992 when they used an unmanned excavator to assist with reconstruction work following the Mount Unzen Fugen-dake volcanic eruption in Japan. Further tests were carried out in 2013, when an excavator operating in the Japanese island of Hokkaido was controlled from over 800kms away.

The tests to be carried out in Australia will signify the first time the company has carried out evaluations at an actual mine site. Hitachi has indicated that the excavator will be equipped with collision avoidance technology and vehicle stability monitoring systems, to ensure the same level of operability as occurs with the presence of a driver. Hitachi has stated that following these tests, elements of automated systems (including remote control, driving support systems and autonomous operative features) will be able to be retrofitted onto their EX-7 models.

Wolff Mining, part of the National Group is an Australian based mining company who is well-known in the industry for their implementation and optimisation of semi-autonomous tractor system (SATS) technology, in a world’s-first application into a mining production environment.

Wolff Mining provide bulk dozer push contract mining services using satellite technology, with the ability for one operator to control up to four dozers from a control room. They have been recognised for innovation in mining by winning multiple awards, including Contract Miner of the Year at the 2018 Australian Mining Prospect Awards.

In summary, automated mining equipment is here to stay. Mining is another step closer towards a safer and more profitable industry and it is set to shake up the future of the industry.