LEADERSHIP

BHP going autonomous at South Flank

BHP is transitioning its new US$3.6 billion South Flank mine in the Pilbara to an autonomous haulage fleet.

BHP going autonomous at South Flank

South Flank, Australia's biggest iron ore mine in more than a century, achieved first production in May last year and is ramping up to 80 million tonnes per annum.

The mine was launched with an autonomous-ready fleet.

Under the transition, South Flank is expected to have up to six Komatsu trucks converted to the autonomous haulage system in June.

The trucks will initially be remotely operated from site prior to transitioning to BHP's Perth office.

All 41 haul trucks are scheduled to be operated autonomously within 18 months.

"The transition to autonomous haulage at South Flank will build on the success at Jimblebar and Newman East which have reached new benchmarks in safety and productivity since they adopted fully autonomous fleets," Western Australian Iron Ore asset president Brandon Craig said.

"This is an exciting announcement for WAIO and the South Flank workforce and is expected to result in significant safety and efficiency improvements as well as new job and growth opportunities."

BHP expects the move to create 60 new roles.

The company said automation had improved safety, with the number of near-miss events at Jimblebar and Newman East down 90% since the implementation of autonomous haulage and recordable injuries down 70% at Newman East.

South Flank will be BHP's fifth Australian mine site to introduce autonomous haulage and its third site in Western Australia.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining News Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining News Intelligence team.

editions

MiningNews.net Research Report 2024

Access a multi-pronged tool to identify critical risks and opportunities in Australia’s mining industry.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Investor Sentiment Report 2024

Survey revealing the plans, priorities, and preferences of 120+ mining investors and their expectations for the sector in 2024.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Mining Equities Report 2023

Access an exclusive, inside look on the quarterly mining IPOs and secondary raisings data and mining equities performance tables with an annual Stock Exchange Comparisons supplement.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence World Risk Report 2023 (feat. MineHutte ratings)

A detailed analysis of mining investment risks across 121 jurisdictions globally, built on 11 ‘hard risk’ metrics and an industrywide survey.