Can automation repeat its iron ore success with coal? Report

Insight 17 July 2018

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Report summary

The move towards automation within the Australian coal sector has been slow compared with its counterparts in the iron ore sector, where the use of autonomous vehicles has increased significantly over the past decade. We estimate that 186 autonomous trucks were in use in Australia's iron ore industry towards the end of 2017, accounting for 15% of total material moved. In this insight we evaluate the possible cost savings when using autonomous haulage in the coal sector, against the backdrop of iron ore's success. We also cover the pros and cons of driverless trucks, and summarise automation across Australia's iron ore and coal industries.

Executive summary
Pros and cons of driverless trucks
Scenario analysis: What if coal was able to achieve similar cost and productivity savings to iron ore?
Automation becoming the norm in Australia's iron ore industry
Summary of autonomous vehicles in Australia's iron ore industry
- Fortescue Metals
- Rio Tinto
- BHP
- Roy Hill
- Key issues so far in the iron sector
Examples of automation within the Australian coal sector over the past decade
- Driverless trucks at Maules Creek and Meandu
- Remote control centres
- Automated dozers
- Auto drilling