MANAGEMENT

Rio Tinto's AutoHaul gets safety approval

Australia's Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) has accredited Rio Tinto's AutoHaul project, which involves the autonomous operation of trains at the group's iron ore business in Western Australia

Staff reporter
 The AutoHaul project is focused on automating trains transporting iron ore to Rio Tinto’s port facilities in the Pilbara region of Western Australia

The AutoHaul project is focused on automating trains transporting iron ore to Rio Tinto’s port facilities in the Pilbara region of Western Australia

ONRSR, which was established under the Rail Safety National Law (South Australia) Act 2012, aims to enforce safe railway operations and improve rail safety overall in Australia.

Rio Tinto said the AutoHaul project continues to progress and is on schedule to be completed by the end of 2018.

The company will take a phased approach to deploying autonomous trains across the network in the lead up to full commissioning.

Once commissioned, the network will be the world's first heavy-haul, long-distance autonomous rail operation, unlocking significant safety and productivity benefits for the business.

Rio Tinto's Pilbara shipments guidance for 2018 remains between 330 and 340 million tonnes (100% basis).

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