TECHNOLOGY

Hitachi to automate Whitehaven's Maules Creek fleet

Hitachi Construction will collaborate with Australian independent coal miner Whitehaven Coal on the design and implementation of an autonomous haulage system (AHS) to support the company's mining operations in north-west New South Wales

Staff reporter
Autonomous dump truck

Autonomous dump truck

PRESS RLELEASE: According to the two companies, the agreement is a major step forward in the penetration of AHS technologies in the Australian market, putting them at the forefront of innovations in this area in the NSW coal mining sector

The collaboration between Whitehaven and Hitachi Construction Machinery will entail scoping the delivery and commissioning of phased AHS deployment for the fleet of Hitachi EH5000AC3 trucks at the Maules Creek coal mine and the establishment of the physical and technological infrastructure to support AHS capability.

Hitachi said its AHS is designed with the base concepts of scalability, flexibility and agility.

Various proven technologies from Hitachi Group companies contribute to the complete AHS solution, including the fleet management system provided by Wenco International Mining Systems; Hitachi Construction Machinery's Smart Mining Truck with the Advanced Vehicle Stabilization Controls utilising Hitachi robotics, AC motor and drive control unit technologies; a blockage management system from the railway business; and sensing technology and a navigation system cultivated in the automobile industry.

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