Infrastructural requirements for the implementation of autonomous trucks in open-pit mines

Sanaa Benlaajili,Fouad Moutaouakkil,Ahmed Chebak,S Vöth,L Sobik,J Janocko,Y Tan,N Demirel,A Abay,M Cehlár,D Szurgacz

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202131503009

Abstract

The field of study of autonomous trucks especially in open pit mines has been the subject of considerable research over the past three decades. In the last ten years in particular, interest in this area has improved considerably. The implementation of autonomous systems is an integral organizational and cultural change. This work is a guideline for the safe and effective implementation of autonomous trucks in mines. It provides an integral view of the different approaches to implementing autonomous mining trucks with respect to safety criteria, operating costs, etc. It also presents the criteria and measures to be considered when maintaining the haulage routes (vertical/horizontal/combined alignment) that are a vital component for the success of an automation project. Mine site designers and planners should ensure that the design and construction of traffic areas for these trucks are compatible with autonomy and minimize interactions with personnel and non-autonomous equipment. A proposed infrastructural requirement for the autonomous truck zone is presented in this work.

Highlights

The mining industry is increasingly adopting automation as a safety and productivity factor and as a critical factor in making future mining methods sustainable [1,2,3]
In order to be able to decide on the appropriate approach for implementing autonomous trucks in an open pit mine, it is necessary to assess if the infrastructure is adequate for this new technology, if the risks are controlled and if the stakeholders in this automation project are prepared for this change
Potential problem situations to be avoided are: - Sharp horizontal turns at or near the top of a slope, as the sensors installed on the autonomous truck will have difficulty perceiving the angle of inclination of the slope. - The autonomous truck should, at all times, be able to perceive the entire environment in front of it over a distance at least equal to the truck's braking distance - Intersections should be as flat as possible. - Horizontal curves should be raised by approximately 4% to 6% depending on the radius of curvature and the speed of the equipment. - The radius of curvature must be greater than the minimum turning radius of the autonomous truck

Summary

Introduction

The mining industry is increasingly adopting automation as a safety and productivity factor and as a critical factor in making future mining methods sustainable [1,2,3]. This work provides the safety requirements for the autonomous or semi-autonomous trucks used in open-pit mining operations. It specifies the safety criteria for the autonomous trucks and its associated system and infrastructure, including hardware and software, and. In autonomous mining haulage systems, the haulage road network is an essential and vital component of the production process. The safety, productivity and longevity of equipment all depend on well-designed, constructed and maintained haulage roads. The following sections are organized as follows: The first section provides an overview of approaches to introducing this new technology into the mine environment; the second section is used to present the requirements in the autonomous area to guarantee safe and secure circulation of autonomous trucks.

The implementation of autonomous trucks in open-pit mines

Design of haul roads for trucks in an open pit mine

Vertical alignment

Maximum safe slope limit

Combined alignment

Conclusion