Mining Goes Digital – Mueller et al. (Eds)
© 2019 Taylor & Francis Group, London, ISBN 978-0-367-33604-2
542
Approach of mining equipment performance with simulation
of the use of autonomous trucks
W.S. Felsch Jr.
Federal University of Ouro Preto, Brazil
CSN Mining, Brazil
A.F. Oliveira & C.E.A. Ortiz
Federal University of Ouro Preto, Brazil
ABSTRACT: The research has focused on evaluating different mine scenarios using
good practices of operational improvements with the use of autonomous equipment. The
study was developed at Casa de Pedra Mine, located in Brazil. The data was extracted
from the electronic dispatch system and a software simulator of mine operations was used.
A simulation was developed with the scenario of autonomous transport operation, with
the objective of comparing the benefits of technology with the traditional scenario using
operators. The productivity of the autonomous system increased by an average of 6.4% to
15.6% and the effective use of the transport fleet increased from 3% to 7% The simulation
allows the verification of effective gains in the transport fleet. The Autonomous Haulage
System (AHS) has a relatively high cost, so it is necessary to carry out a financial feasibility
study in order to verify the effectiveness of these equipment in each type of mine.
1 INTRODUCTION
The demands for increased competitiveness, associated with the adoption of new technologies
and knowledge, are increasingly common factors in companies and organizations of all
segments. In the specific case of mining employment, increased productivity and decreased
costs are possible whenever new knowledge and techniques are introduced for the execution
of work.
At the same time, security has become more and more paramount in the face of mining
operations. In this scenario, there are opportunities to expand automation to the most critical
and costly operations for the mining industry.
Automation is related to operations where human interference is minimal or not present,
thus being more stable, safe and continuous processes. The automation in mining operations
consists in the control of operations at a safe distance through joysticks and cameras and, in
the case of transportation of materials, autonomous operations where a computer controls
the equipment through specialized software. The most relevant benefit would be the withdrawal of people from potential areas of risk in mining.
One of the first areas being explored as a candidate for automation in an open pit mine
operation is that of mine haulage trucks. AHS trucks are receiving increased attention from
the industry, with both Komatsu and Caterpillar as leading manufacturers of haulage trucks
creating the first systems being used in mining (Parreira, 2013).
In the field of mining operations, the processes of greatest interest to automate are drilling,
loading and the material transport system. Self-propelled drills and trucks are being used in
large mines and have positive results related to increased productivity, increased utilization,
shorter downtime, and increased operational safety. In material transport, Rivera (2014)
estimates that the productivity gain for autonomous operations can be up to 20% and the
© 2019 Taylor & Francis Group, London, ISBN 978-0-367-33604-2
542
Approach of mining equipment performance with simulation
of the use of autonomous trucks
W.S. Felsch Jr.
Federal University of Ouro Preto, Brazil
CSN Mining, Brazil
A.F. Oliveira & C.E.A. Ortiz
Federal University of Ouro Preto, Brazil
ABSTRACT: The research has focused on evaluating different mine scenarios using
good practices of operational improvements with the use of autonomous equipment. The
study was developed at Casa de Pedra Mine, located in Brazil. The data was extracted
from the electronic dispatch system and a software simulator of mine operations was used.
A simulation was developed with the scenario of autonomous transport operation, with
the objective of comparing the benefits of technology with the traditional scenario using
operators. The productivity of the autonomous system increased by an average of 6.4% to
15.6% and the effective use of the transport fleet increased from 3% to 7% The simulation
allows the verification of effective gains in the transport fleet. The Autonomous Haulage
System (AHS) has a relatively high cost, so it is necessary to carry out a financial feasibility
study in order to verify the effectiveness of these equipment in each type of mine.
1 INTRODUCTION
The demands for increased competitiveness, associated with the adoption of new technologies
and knowledge, are increasingly common factors in companies and organizations of all
segments. In the specific case of mining employment, increased productivity and decreased
costs are possible whenever new knowledge and techniques are introduced for the execution
of work.
At the same time, security has become more and more paramount in the face of mining
operations. In this scenario, there are opportunities to expand automation to the most critical
and costly operations for the mining industry.
Automation is related to operations where human interference is minimal or not present,
thus being more stable, safe and continuous processes. The automation in mining operations
consists in the control of operations at a safe distance through joysticks and cameras and, in
the case of transportation of materials, autonomous operations where a computer controls
the equipment through specialized software. The most relevant benefit would be the withdrawal of people from potential areas of risk in mining.
One of the first areas being explored as a candidate for automation in an open pit mine
operation is that of mine haulage trucks. AHS trucks are receiving increased attention from
the industry, with both Komatsu and Caterpillar as leading manufacturers of haulage trucks
creating the first systems being used in mining (Parreira, 2013).
In the field of mining operations, the processes of greatest interest to automate are drilling,
loading and the material transport system. Self-propelled drills and trucks are being used in
large mines and have positive results related to increased productivity, increased utilization,
shorter downtime, and increased operational safety. In material transport, Rivera (2014)
estimates that the productivity gain for autonomous operations can be up to 20% and the