Mining Magazine > Panorama > Cat and WesTrac sign autonomous truck deal

Caterpillar and WesTrac have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Fortescue Metals Group, which is based in Perth, Australia, to put autonomous vehicles into operation at its Solomon iron ore mine. The technology is expected to increase productivity and performance at the new mine.
This will include the Cat MineStar system technology suite, and an initial fleet of 12 Command for hauling autonomous 793F trucks. It is expected that the Solomon mine will have in the region of 45 autonomous trucks by 2015.
Neville Power, COO at Fortescue, said: “One of the key growth challenges we face is around availability of people and the need to best utilise this valuable resource. As such, it is incumbent upon us to look at new ways of doing things.”
Chris Curfman, VP of Caterpillar Global Mining, added: “This collaboration will also positively impact sustainability at Fortescue’s Solomon mine through reduced environmental footprint and machine efficiencies.”
Caterpillar and WesTrac will work together to implement and operate this autonomous solution for Fortescue. The two organisations together will provide product and technology implementation, consulting and change management services to Solomon mine, as well as operate the complete autonomous system once it is implemented. In addition, WesTrac will be fully responsible for supporting the large Caterpillar mining fleet at Solomon with machine and technology technicians and support personnel.