Swedish metals company Boliden has introduced an Autonomous Hauling System, the Komatsu Frontrunner, on 11 haul trucks in the Aitik copper mine for a total investment of 218 million SEK ($25.43 million).
The company said the system will be rolled out and fully implemented during 2024; it will be the first such system in the EU. The objective for the new system is to increase production as the mine gets bigger and deeper.
It said the automation of the haul truck fleet would improve the productivity and asset utilisation to meet increased transportation demands in the mine while retaining "world-leading cost competitiveness".
Stefan Romedahl, president, Business Area Mines, Boliden, said the haul truck automation ensures that Aitik will remain one of the world's most productive copper mines while cutting emissions.
Additionally, the company said that the implementation would include in-depth training of mine staff, which will make the mine "safer and more attractive".
The Aitik copper mine has an approximate annual capacity of 2 million tonnes as of April 2021.
