Copper miner ASARCO recently paved the way for the future of mining at its Ray copper mine in Arizona with the launch of its new autonomous haulage system, adding 11 new Cat 794 autonomous haul trucks to the fleet.
In a statement shared in May with Arizona’s CopperArea.com, ASARCO said that together with Caterpillar and its dealer, Empire Cat, it is proud to be embarking on a transformative journey at its Ray Mine operations with the introduction of Caterpillar’s autonomous haulage system (AHS), Cat® MineStar™ Command for hauling.
It is making history as one of the first mines in the US to be fully autonomous using MineStar™ Command for hauling after Freeport’s Bagdad copper operation, which began the conversion of its Cat 793D trucks to autonomy in January with haul truck 230, with the main rollout having started in March. It is also working with Empire Cat and expects to have its entire fleet of 33 haul trucks driverless by the end of 2025, which will be responsible for more than 95% of Bagdad’s total haulage needs.
There, four autonomous trucks were initially operated in a pushback dedicated to autonomous haulage only, followed by a larger pushback being dedicated to autonomous haulage. In May, a new autonomous command centre started running, operating 24/7 to provide real-time visibility and control that enhances safety, efficiency and communication. Also by May, the autonomous fleet had expanded to 15 trucks and moved more than 3 Mt of material.
Back to ASARCO’s Ray mine: “This groundbreaking initiative marks another milestone in our journey towards safer, more efficient, and sustainable mining operations. By embracing innovation, we are setting new standards for the industry while creating valuable opportunities for our workforce,” said Michelle Lammers, ASARCO Operations Director in statement.
It added that this significant technological investment will be integrating 11 new Cat 794 autonomous haul trucks into one of the USA’s largest copper mining operations, charting a pathway to a safe and sustainable future for the Ray mine. As copper remains a critical mineral for the US, this deployment “positions ASARCO ahead of the curve in modernisation.” It also aligns with the company’s long-term vision to double its capacity, an ambition that reinforces ASARCO’s strategic growth and its vital role in securing the nation’s mineral supply.
The AHS project “demonstrates ASARCO’s vision for the future of mining and our commitment to future proofing our workforce – one that embraces technology to improve productivity while further developing the exceptional talent within our organisation.”
The deployment of round-the-clock autonomous haulage technology is anticipated to enable production efficiency, equipment utilisation and operational reliability. Most importantly, it will enhance workplace safety, creating a more secure operation for ASARCO’s valued workforce. “Transforming our operation creates compelling career advancement opportunities for all our current team members for developing expertise in digital systems and autonomous technology – positioning ASARCO as an attractive destination for digitally skilled professionals looking to build careers at the intersection of technology and mining innovation.”
“We are proud to support ASARCO’s journey with the integration of Cat MineStar Command for hauling at Ray Mine. This highlights our collaboration and ASARCO’s commitment to leveraging advanced technology to optimise mining processes for operational excellence,” shared Marc Cameron, Senior Vice President of Sales, Services & Technology at Caterpillar.
