BHP Commits $50 Towards Automation of Large Mining Machines

Multinational BHP recently committed $50 million towards the automation of 8 ship loaders, set to be ready by 2023. The 2 ‘world first’ prototypes will use the 3-dimensional laser scan technology of self-driving cars, at both the Nelson Point and Finucane Island port operations in Western Australia.

The hope is that by removing employees from cabins, the annual production will be increased by more than 1Mt, due to greater precision, reduced spillage, faster load times and equipment optimisation.

WA iron ore asset president Brandon Craig said “Automating our ship loaders will improve safety for our people and allow us to load our ships more precisely and efficiently, including through automatic adjustments for weather, hazards, and other variable port conditions,”

The affected staff from the fallout of the automation, an initial concern, will be redeployed. A further 12 new positions will be created at the Brookfield Place Tower integrated remote operations centre in downtown Perth.