Vale will begin testing autonomous operation on off-highway trucks in Carajás

In November, Vale will begin the testing phase for the deployment of two autonomous off-highway trucks at the Carajás mine. Innovation is coupled with the development and training of mine professionals to keep up with the worldwide trend of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, also called industry 4.0.

In autonomous operation, the trucks are controlled by computer systems, GPS, radars, and artificial intelligence and monitored by operators in control rooms miles away from operations, which brings even more security to the activity.

When detecting risks, the equipment stops its operations until the path is cleared. Security system sensors can detect both large objects such as large rocks and other trucks, as well as humans in the immediate vicinity of the road.

According to the director of the Northern Corridor of Vale, Antonio Padovezi, in addition to the safety factor, the use of autonomous equipment in Carajás, the world’s largest open pit iron ore mine, will ensure greater sustainability for Brazilian mining. “This is a breakthrough that brings social, environmental, and economic gains, reduces the exposure of employees to risks, increases competitiveness, reduces the emission of polluting gases, and furthers the empowerment and evolution of professional skills, following a natural trend that is lived today in the market all over the world,” he says.

The definitive start-up for production should take place at the end of the first half of 2020. All professionals who will interact with the autonomous equipment will be trained. The Carajás mine will partially operate autonomously, but will also continue with conventional operation. Results will be evaluated for fleet expansion.

By 2024 it is estimated that 37 autonomous trucks will be operating in Carajás, which represents about 40% of the current fleet.

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