RIO Tinto has embarked on a ground-breaking program to develop a world-leading system to automate its Pilbara iron ore operations.
A significant component of this ambitious venture is the formation of an alliance with Komatsu to develop and deploy advanced Autonomous Haulage solutions to support Rio Tinto Iron Ore's operations in Western Australia.
Rio Tinto and Komatsu have agreed to work together to establish an autonomous mining operation in the Pilbara that will feature the industry-leading Komatsu Autonomous Haulage System.
The system will be commissioned before the end of 2008. This autonomous mining system will be more widely deployed in new and existing Rio Tinto Iron Ore operations by 2010.