Brazil-based iron ore producer Vale has expanded its autonomous technology to stocking yards in Maranhao and Rio de Janeiro this year, the company said.
Vale delivered a stocking yard machine at Ponta da Madeira maritime terminal in Sao Luis in January, and its 11th drill rig in Itabira in February, Vale said.
The company currently has a total of 24 haul trucks, 18 drill rigs and 30 yard machines operating in autonomous mode.
"The autonomous operation is making processes more stable and in line with safety standards, supporting Vale in its ambition to become a benchmark in mining safety," program manager Pedro Bemfica said.
Vale now has 86 autonomous equipment in Brazil. The company installed its first piece of autonomous equipment at its Brucutu mine in 2018, in the form of haul trucks and drill rigs.
Around 300 employees have been retrained to work with the new technologies, and either entered new roles in the company or performed the same functions using the new technologies, Vale said.
The use of autonomous equipment has also resulted in fuel reductions, with autonomous drill rigs showing a 7.3% fuel reduction in Itabira.
Vale plans to expand its autonomous programme, and will devote around US$45 million this year to autonomous technologies.
The company will install three more haul trucks, two yard machines, and five drill rigs in operation at Carajas, as well as one more haul rig at its Brucutu mine. It will also add three more drilling rigs to Itabira.
