Rio Tinto Coal Delivers First Fully Autonomous Iron Ore Supply

Rio Tinto has achieved significant success with the first autonomous train delivery of iron ore in Pilbara, Western Australia, using the world's largest robot.

An autonomous train of three locomotives carrying about 28,000 tonnes of iron ore traveled more than 280 kilometers from Rio Tinto's Tom Pride mining operations to Cape Lambert on 10 July. It was controlled remotely by the operators of the Rio Tinto operations center in Perth over a distance of more than 1,500 kilometers.

This marks a milestone in Rio Tinto's AutoHaul ™ program in optimizing the company's iron ore transport system, providing greater flexibility. Rio Tinto Iron Ore Rail Managing Director Ivan Vella said: “The safe delivery of iron ore by autonomous train is a key milestone for AutoHaul ™. This program will provide the world's first fully autonomous, intercity and broadband rail network operating the world's largest robots. ”