Thiess to install autonomous technology to Fortescue Metals Group's Christmas Creek operation

A leading mining services provider has been awarded a major contract to continue to apply autonomous technology to a leading iron ore operation in Western Australia.

Thiess announced that it has secured an 18-month contract to convert a minimum of 65 conventional haul trucks to an autonomous haulage system at Fortescue Metals Group’s Christmas Creek operation.

The company will also complete various sub-component installs of the system on ancillary equipment to allow the machinery to autonomously operate at Fortescue’s Chichester Hubs.

CIMIC Group Executive Mining and Mineral Processing and Thiess Managing Director Douglas Thompson said: “We are pleased to continue working with Fortescue to deliver autonomous systems to its mining fleet. Our work at Christmas Creek builds on our strong record of delivery for Fortescue at their Solomon Mine, where we assisted in the upgrade of their autonomous fleet. 
 

Related stories:

Fortescue Metals takes control of Nullagine Iron Ore Joint Venture for $1

Caterpillar and Fortescue Metals Group: Developing a fully autonomous mine site

LlamaZOO: Changing the perception of data in the mining world

“Our team is thrilled to work with Fortescue in leading mining innovation and delivering solutions that are firsts for our industry.”

Earlier this year, Fortescue had converted around 100 autonomous haul trucks at its Chichester Hub, making Fortescue the first iron ore company in the world to have a fully autonomous fleet.

Fortescue first began implementing autonomous technology back in 2013 at its Solomon mine and since then, Autonomous Haulage Technology (AHS) fitted trucks have moved over half a billion tonnes of material and have achieved a greater than 30 per cent increase in productivity levels.