09 July 2010
Rio Tinto trials shiploading from the shore
Rio Tinto's vision for a Mine of the Future™ is rapidly becoming a reality, with the continuing introduction of projects designed to deliver safer and more efficient mining.
Launching the trial of teleoperated shiploading in Dampier, Rio Tinto said its latest technology will allow an operator to control a shiploader from the safety of the shore.
Video and thermal cameras, lasers and sensors have been installed on one of three shiploaders at the Dampier port. The operator is relocated from the machine to a console with a dome-shaped screen which simulates the view from the boom of the shiploader.
The systems provide information beyond what can be obtained by a manual operator.
Rio Tinto's iron ore group chief executive Sam Walsh said the trial was an exciting development which had the potential to greatly enhance port operations. "Application of this type of technology continues Rio Tinto's drive for operational efficiency. It leads us towards greater efficiency, lower production costs, improved health, safety and environmental performance, and more attractive working conditions."
Preparations for the trial started three years ago with Rio Tinto's innovation group in collaboration with CSIRO's Minerals Down Under Flagship. The Flagship director Peter Lilly said: "This new technology will not only improve efficiency, but will also remove the operator from a potentially hazardous position in a cabin on the shiploader boom."
Rio Tinto's Mine of the Future™ covers the key components required for an integrated mine-to-port operating system. It uses next generation technologies which are being assembled and tested in Pilbara iron ore operations. The development timeline so far:
2006 Trials of autonomous drilling rigs for the Pilbara commence
2007 Establish the Rio Tinto Centre for Mine Automation at the University of Sydney
2007/8 Automated train trials between Paraburdoo and Tom Price
2008 Trial of driverless trucks starts at West Angelas mine
2010 Operations Centre opens at Perth Airport
About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt, talc) and iron ore. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa.