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Rio Tinto and WesTrac celebrate autonomous training partnership

Rio Tinto is one step closer to its autonomous goal at the Gudai-Darri mine in the Pilbara following a milestone in its partnership with WesTrac at the Technology Training Centre in Collie.

The two companies have celebrated a successful first six months of a partnership that has seen more than 100 Rio Tinto employees develop skills in Automated Haulage Systems (AHS) training at the centre.

The training includes practical components for operating and using manually controlled equipment such as passenger transport vehicles within autonomous zones. Such equipment must be fitted with technology to allow safe interaction with the autonomous vehicles, ensuring all moving equipment is site aware.

Rio Tinto human resources vice president Scott Browne said the program has given Rio Tinto team members invaluable development in AHS.

“We are pleased to collaborate with WesTrac to create this specialised development program for our team members, the first of its kind at the Collie facility,” Browne said.

“The partnership has been key to ensuring our team members are equipped with many of the skills they need to commence work at Gudai-Darri.

“After completing the initial modules, team members will be proficient in the fundamentals of Automated Haulage Systems and will understand how to interact safely with autonomous equipment.

“Gudai-Darri will be one of the world’s most technically advanced mine sites with automation technology solutions across the value chain, so this training will be very important for our team on site.

WesTrac chief executive officer Jarvas Croome said Western Australia currently accounted for around 90 per cent of the world’s Cat autonomous haulage fleet and that is why the training centre was established in the state.

“Even with the travel restrictions in place since the centre opened last year, we’ve had a continuous flow of WA-based participants,” Croome said.

“Mine sites across the state are continuing to enhance their operations with autonomous equipment and that is keeping demand strong.

“We are also seeing strong demand to work with customers such as Rio Tinto to tailor training to specific needs and anticipate developing additional course work as industry requirements continue to evolve.”

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