Making Autonomous Mining a

Reality for the Everyday Mine

AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS, INC. +1.866.881.2171

990 N 8000 W asirobots.com
Mendon UT, USA, 84325
CONTENTS
BENEFITS OF AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES IN THE MINING ENVIRONMENT 04
Industry Growth of Autonomous Mining Applications

Roadblocks for Mine Sites Seeking Vehicle Automation

Solutions for Mine Sites Seeking Vehicle Automation

STEPS TO ADOPTING AUTONOMY 07

Step One: Driver Assist

Step Two: Partial Autonomy

Step Three: Full Autonomy

POTENTIAL RESULTS OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION 10

REFERENCES 11
INTRODUCTION

Implications for autonomous vehicle operations in the mining ecosystem are many and
varied. Mining organizations understand the long-term safety, production and financial
benefits of automating vehicles and processes. Many are pursuing such initiatives.
However, converting an entire site to full automation is a challenge that proves both
structurally daunting and financially prohibitive. An interoperable command and control
platform provides a realistic solution by facilitating a scalable approach to automation
implementation across an entire mine site.

In this guide, we will take a deeper look at the benefits of autonomous vehicles in the
mining environment, steps to adopting autonomy and the potential results of its suc-
cessful application.

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BENEFITS OF AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES
IN THE MINING ENVIRONMENT
Machine automation in mining has been a 15-20%
part of industry-wide discussions for years. Increase in
Rapid advancements in technology have
now converted the subject from a utopian Output
concept to a modern reality. Mine sites
throughout the world are now researching, 13%
designing, implementing and seeing results Reduction
from autonomous vehicle programs.
in Operating
Primary benefits include: Costs
• Improved safety

$
• Reduced damage
• Increased equipment utilization
• Increased productivity
• Reduced cost per ton
• Better asset management
• Optimization of mine plan or mine design

Reports have shown that driverless technol-

ogy can produce a 15 - 20 percent increase
in output and an eight percent reduction in 14%
maintenance (Staff Writer, 2014). Increase in
Using autonomous haul trucks, one global Utilization
mining organization reported a 13 percent de-
crease in operating costs and enhancement
of utilization rates by 14 percent in 2015 at a
mine site in Australia (Sheridan, 2016).

While the benefits of driverless vehicles

8%
are clear, implementation of autonomous Reduction
technology also introduces an entirely new
set of challenges for pioneers of the min-
in Maint.
ing industry. Among those obstacles are
designing an affordable, practical, scalable
and sustainable strategy for employing the
level of automation that provides the great-
est return for each unique site.

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Roadblocks for Mine Sites Seeking Vehicle Automation
Many of today’s mines operate vehicle fleets that are not equipped with autonomous
functionality. Additionally, many sites rely on vehicles from disparate manufacturers. The
combination of these realities presents significant obstacles for mines seeking a compet-
itive stronghold in the market through automation. Decision makers are forced to justify
autonomous projects on the basis of replacing existing vehicles with new machines,
equipped by the OEM for autonomous operation. In such cases, the business case for
autonomy often becomes unattractive. To develop a successful automation program and
maximize the efficiency of their fleets they are left with vehicle options that are limited to
those provided by a single OEM. Using older machines from various manufacturers cre-
ates greater complexity and additional challenges for vehicles to communicate efficiently
with the mine’s command and control platform, fleet management system and other rele-
vant applications, resulting in lost productivity, and significant expenses.

Absorbing the capital expenditures of autonomous programs is another challenge facing

forward-thinking mine operations. Even though long-term operating expenditures can be sig-
nificantly reduced over time with vehicle automation, initial costs can be financially debilitat-
ing. The monetary investment and organizational commitment associated with this rapidly
advancing technology is inherently high, keeping many mines from exploring opportunities.

Solutions for Mine Sites Seeking Vehicle Automation

Integrated Command and Control System
An OEM-agnostic, interoperable command and control platform provides a practical
solution to this industry challenge. Such a solution allows mines to equip mixed fleets
of vehicles with autonomous capabilities, regardless of the manufacturer or the vehicle
type. A single platform designed to retro-fit existing vehicles from all major manufactur-
ers and integrate with multiple systems can serve as an enterprise solution for autono-
mously operating all mine vehicles within a site, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1

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Graduated Implementation of Autonomous Mining

Designing an incremental plan for autonomy adoption provides a practical, low-risk

solution to the large capital requirements and daunting tasks associated with a single
implementation of a fully autonomous operation. This approach begins with simple ap-
plications that expose administrators, operators and staff to smaller degrees of automa-
tion and gradually develops to more advanced levels (i.e. tele-op, semi-autonomous, full
automation) as the technology’s value is proved and users become more comfortable
interacting with the driverless vehicles.

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STEPS TO ADOPTING AUTONOMY
Step One: Driver Assist
Many new consumer vehicle models are equipped with basic driver assist features.
Understanding the public’s natural reluctance to yield complete control of their car to
artificial intelligence, automotive manufacturers have built driver assist technology into
their vehicles. Such features include automated parking, lane recognition, and more. By
adding these elements, consumers are gradually exposed to autonomy on a minimal,
non-invasive and comfortable level.

Similar driver assist functionality is also available for mining vehicles and can serve as the first,
affordable, low-risk step to transforming manned operations into fully autonomous fleets.

Autonomous vehicle command and control software, such as Mobius, from Autonomous
Solutions, Inc., serve as integration platforms, connecting fleet management and dispatch
information from traditional FMS systems with control and navigation of autonomous
vehicles. These vehicle applications may include haulage, drills, or other autonomous
applications. The platform serves as a hub that allows for the integration of driver assist
features like collision warning and avoidance systems (CWS/CAS), fatigue monitoring
and spotting assist. The CWS module is comprised of an operator warning system which
functions independently from the vehicle’s actuation system. Following implementation,
the command and control platform uses GPS proximity warnings to autonomously op-
erate driver assist functionalities. In addition, the CWS can also be expanded to include
sensor-based detection along with projected path filters for additional intelligence.

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Step Two: Partial Autonomy
With an increased level of familiarity with collision warning systems (CWS), vehicle oper-
ators become better equipped to begin incorporating collision avoidance systems (CAS)
for greater safety enhancements. While CWS are designed to notify drivers of ensuing
danger, CAS are built to physically engage with vehicle actuation, applying the brakes
and throttle system of the machine, to avoid potential collisions. This type of application
also requires hardware installation, where CWS does not.

Partial autonomy may also include functionality such as auto-spotting and additional
sensor filters. Auto-spotting helps maintain efficiency and avoid truck/shovel interac-
tions during the loading process by autonomously and precisely spotting trucks to the
shovel. When engaged, the auto-spotting module drives the vehicle to a specific point,
then back to a separate location predetermined by the operator. Operators can assume
control at any time during the spotting cycle by tapping the brake.

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Step Three: Full Autonomy
Shadow trials serve as a bridge between manned and unmanned operations. Shadowing
is conducted by gathering data in the background, while a driver manually operates a ve-
hicle, and running autonomous simulations within the mine circuit. These trials generate
“hypothetical driven” data and compares it to “as-driven” data, essentially studying and
learning from manual operations.

Shadow trials can minimize disruption of mine production by providing opportunities to

evaluate and resolve potential COMMS or false positive obstacle detection events. Ad-
ministrators can conduct modifications as needed and obtain a high-level assessment
of system readiness prior to transitioning from manned to unmanned operations.

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RESULTS OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION
While several projects using an OEM-agnostic, interoperable command and control platform
for autonomous mining vehicles are currently ongoing, many are in the earliest phases of
implementation, limiting the extent of existing results. As adoption of this solution increas-
es, and time and technological advancements allow for the completion of incremental
phases within graduated implementation plans, further results will become available.

The global mining industry is experiencing exciting advancements in technology that are
leading to unprecedented results. While mines understand the value of these technolo-
gies, many face barriers to adoption. An interoperable command and control platform pro-
vides a solution for mines running mixed fleets of older vehicles that are unequipped with
autonomous capabilities. This type of platform enables independent vehicles, such as
autonomous haulage, drilling, blasting, etc. to function individually, while operating under
a single command and control system. As a result, each vehicle can efficiently perform
tasks while remaining aware of other vehicles and obstacles within its environment.

In turn, scalable autonomy provides a realistic solution for mines to begin reaping the
benefits of driverless vehicles, without the burden of unreasonable capital expenditures
and operational risk.

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REFERENCES
Writer, Staff / Mining Global (2014) Top Driverless Trucks in the Mining Industry Today
Plus Future Concepts, online article, January 8, 2018,
http://www.miningglobal.com/machinery/top-driverless-trucks-mining-industry-to-
day-plus-future-concepts.

Sheridan, K. / CIM Magazine (2016) The Evolution of Autonomy, online article, January
12, 2018, http://magazine.cim.org/en/technology/the-evolution-of-autonomy/.

AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS, INC. +1.866.881.2171

990 N 8000 W asirobots.com
Mendon UT, USA, 84325

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