Modern Mining April 2022

Caterpillar autonomously hauls over 1 billion tonnes with Cat Command

For the first time in mining history, trucks equipped with Cat MineStar Command for hauling have autonomously moved more than 1 billion tonnes of material in less than a year. Roughly 1.2 billion tonnes (1.3 billion tons) were autono mously hauled in 2021 using Command for hauling. In total, Command for hauling trucks have autonomously and safely hauled more than 4 billion tonnes (4.4 bil lion tons) of material since 2013. To date, trucks equipped with Caterpillar’s autonomous haulage system (AHS) have travelled more than 147 million km with zero loss-time injuries, the company said. “Safety and sustainability continue to be top values in the mining industry. We are entering our ninth year with zero loss time injuries with Command for hauling, a testament to its safety record,” says Marc Cameron, vice president, Caterpillar Resource Industries. “A recent five-year study by one of our customers autono mously hauling iron ore reported an 11% reduction in fuel usage – resulting in a 4 300 tonne-per-year (4,740 TPY) CO 2 emissions reduction – 11% increase in hourly production, 50% higher maximum truck travel speed, and 35% improved tire life.” Autonomous trucks equipped with Command for hauling are operating at 18 mine sites by 10 companies across three continents. Commodities autonomously hauled include iron ore, oil sands, cop per, coal and gold. Spanning the 190- to 360-tonne (210- to 400-ton) class sizes, the portfolio of Cat mining trucks capable of fully autonomous operation include the 789D, 793D, 793F, 797F and 794 AC with electric drive. “We continue to explore new ave nues with Command for hauling to make strides towards the fully autonomous mine site and recently surpassed a major milestone of more than 500 autonomous trucks. Our previously announced collab oration with Newmont will introduce up to 16 autonomous trucks through 2023 at the company’s Cripple Creek and Victor mine in Colorado, with plans to transition to haulage fleet electrification, supporting Newmont’s target of reduc ing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by more than 30%,” says Sean McGinnis, general manager for Cat Mining. 

Cat Command hauls more than 1 billion tonnes of material in less than a year.

April 2022  MODERN MINING  55