Autonomous mining dump trucks

Abstract

Research aim is to reduce the costs of a mining company and the number of accidents by increasing the efficiency of the use of equipment and eliminating the human factor. Research methodology: analysis of possible areas of application of autonomous mining dump trucks and problems associated with this process. Results. Mining is carried out in difficult mining conditions, which makes the presence of people in the working area of the quarry problematic. Mining companies are looking to cut costs and make jobs safer, especially in developed countries with high labor costs. The use of dump trucks with remote and autonomous control systems in open pits makes it possible to increase the safety and efficiency of open pit mining, reduce the influence of the human factor and increase the productivity of mining machines. While human drivers can do their job well, autonomous trucks can drive the exact route every time without getting bored, tired or resting. The car does not need clean air, good visibility and a lunch break. At the same time, mining autonomous dump trucks can be used in remote-controlled, semi-autonomous and autonomous modes, and the driver in them is replaced by a central controller and a local self-management system. The robot does not get tired and does not make mistakes, it can work 24 hours a day. Eliminating human error and regular training improves safety and increases the productivity of a mining operation. Such companies as BelAZ, Komatsu and Caterpillar are the leaders in the production of autonomous mining dump trucks. Conclusions. The introduction of autonomous transportation allows the mining company to actually reduce its operating costs. While autonomous technologies are still in their infancy, they continue to evolve. Complex solutions will be of great interest - centralized systems that allow working with a fleet of autonomous vehicles and other mining equipment. Therefore, this direction today is the most developing and promising, and the use of autonomous dump trucks in the mining industry is no longer a distant prospect, but a reality of today