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Mining Tech / Automation


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  • Closeup of a Universal Field Robots emblem on a Cat excavator.

    Sandvik acquires Universal Field Robots

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Dec 2, 2024

    Buyout of OEM-agnostic autonomous mining tech provider is expected to expand the scope of Sandvik's AutoMine platform. To expand upon the capabilities and compatibility of its already world-leading AutoMine mining automation platform, Sandvik has acquired Universal Field Robots (UFR), a fast-growing Australia-based provider of autonomous interoperable solutions for the surface mining and underground mining markets. In recent years, Sandvik has significantly grown its... Full story

  • Two Caterpillar mining trucks hauling rock out of a stone quarry.

    Blue light signals Cat automation growth

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Nov 22, 2024

    Caterpillar debuts aggregate sector-sized autonomous haul trucks at Luck Stone Quarry in Virginia. "Blue lights are on! One of my favorite phrases signaling another customer site is using Caterpillar Inc.'s autonomous solution," Caterpillar Resource Industries Group President Denise Johnson penned in a LinkedIn post celebrating the debut of its newest class of Cat automated mining trucks at Luck Stone Corp.'s Bull Run aggregate plant in Virginia. The flashing blue lights sets... Full story

  • Close-up of a SmartROC D65 surface drill rig at the edge of a quarry.

    Pilbara makes large Epiroc drill order

    K. Warner, Metal Tech News|Updated Oct 2, 2024

    A fleet of 14 autonomous surface drill rigs to be delivered to Western Australia lithium mine. Pilbara Minerals, the world's largest independent hard rock lithium producer, has ordered a fleet of surface drill rigs from Epiroc for its Pilgangoora lithium mine in Western Australia. This large order includes 14 SmartROC D65 surface drill rigs, as well as a contract for Epiroc to provide spare parts for the surface drill rigs to keep downtime to a minimum. Several giants of the...

  • A large excavator dumps a load of ore into a mining haul truck.

    Komatsu autonomous trucks haul 10B tons

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Aug 13, 2024

    These self-driving mine trucks are safely and efficiently hauling more than 2 billion metric tons of material per year. In a major milestone for mine safety, efficiency, and productivity, Komatsu reports that the more than 750 Komatsu autonomous haul trucks deployed around the world have hauled more than 10 billion metric tons of material. As a pioneer in the commercial automation of mining haul trucks, Komatsu launched the FrontRunner Autonomous Haulage System (AHS) in 2008....

  • Scania tipper truck in white on black background.

    Scania autonomous trucks are coming

    K. Warner, Metal Tech News|Updated Jul 11, 2024

    Australia gets first crack at a 40-metric-ton autonomous heavy tipper haul truck, with a 50-metric-ton model to follow. Over the past decade, Scania has been developing self-driving heavy vehicles and their support systems, including applications for hub-to-hub transport on highways as well as autonomous trucks for confined areas such as mines. Mines and large closed construction sites are ideal environments for self-driving vehicles to contribute to safer working conditions...

  • A miner in safety gear plugs an electric underground loader into a charger.

    Codelco orders Epiroc digital solutions

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Jan 24, 2024

    World's largest copper producer is implementing digital solutions to optimize safety and productivity; lays groundwork for automation. The world's top copper producer, Codelco, has turned to Epiroc to provide digital solutions that will improve productivity, sustainability, and safety at its mines in Chile. State-owned Codelco has long worked closely with Epiroc to provide equipment and digital solutions at its copper mines. Last August, this longtime business relationship...

  • An operator runs Sandvik mining equipment from computer in an office setting.

    Sandvik's AutoMine Core mining solution

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Nov 6, 2023

    Company unveils new automation platform that is tailor made for underground mass mining. Staying on the cutting edge of autonomous underground mining technologies, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions has introduced AutoMine Core, a comprehensive platform to support customers ramping up from manual operation to fully autonomous production. The Swedish underground mining equipment and technologies company says AutoMine Core is tailor-made to bolster the safety, productivity, and...

  • A battery-electric Sandvik truck and loader working underground.

    Rana Gruber orders electric Sandvik fleet

    K. Warner, For Metal Tech News|Updated Jun 8, 2023

    In Norway, the Rana Gruber iron ore mining and mineral processing operation has purchased a fleet of 19 battery-electric vehicles from Sandvik. The order is being filled during this year's first quarter through 2024 and is Sandvik's second-largest battery-electric mining fleet sale to date. Valued at 370 million Swedish kronor (US$35.5 million), the Rana Gruber order includes eight drills, six trucks, and five loaders, along with on-site support and batteries for the fleet....

  • The Sandvik Toro LH307 is designed to operate in underground environments.

    Japan automates top-producing gold mine

    K. Warner, For Metal Tech News|Updated Jun 8, 2023

    Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions' AutoMine loading technology is the latest advancement in Sumitomo Metal Mining's long-term vision of leading the world in the non-ferrous metals industry. The Japanese company's philosophical focus on social consciousness and sustainability in business has gained a practical supporter in Sandvik, bringing Sumitomo closer to the ideal of full digitization and automation of the mine. With machine learning, remote operation software, and...

  • Large group in hard hats and safety vests in front of Komatsu mining truck.

    Komatsu's future autonomous mine vision

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated May 30, 2023

    Interoperability is key to company's vision of a fully automated mine; works with Toyota to sync light trucks into future mines. From the Arctic regions of northern Sweden to the Andes Mountains in Chile and hot desert climates of Western Australia, 650 mining trucks equipped with Komatsu Ltd.'s FrontRunner autonomous haulage system have transported more than 6.2 billion metric tons of material at 22 mine sites in five countries. Self-driving haul trucks, however, are just...

  • The near desert of the Los Azules Mine project in San Juan, Argentina.

    Stellantis invests $155M in copper miner

    K. Warner, For Metal Tech News|Updated Apr 28, 2023

    In a surprising move, automotive multinational Stellantis has announced the acquisition of a 14.2% equity stake in McEwen Copper, a subsidiary of McEwen Mining, becoming the Canadian company's second-largest shareholder. This is an insightful move in Stellantis' sweeping decarbonization plan, placing the company over an aspect of its own strategic metal production as well as complementing its commitment to becoming a sustainable mobility tech provider. The industry leader's...

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