Rio Tinto iron ore rides ‘robot train’ to port

A Rio Tinto autonomous train has completed its first journey across the Pilbara with 28,000 tonnes of iron ore on board.

New trains. New Locomotives and wagons operating in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Always credit Christian Sprogoe Photography when published.

A giant Rio Tinto robot has successfully delivered 28,000 tonnes of iron ore in its inaugural journey. Monitored remotely by an operations centre in Perth, the company’s (RIO) autonomous train travelled over 280 kilometres across the Pilbara on July 10, from Rio’s operations in Tom Price to the port of Cape Lambert.

“The safe first delivery of iron ore by an autonomous train is a key milestone for AutoHaul,” Rio’s rail, port and core services managing director Ivan Vella said.

“The programme will deliver the world’s first fully autonomous, long-distance, heavy-haul rail network, operating the world’s largest and longest robots.”

The journey, part of Rio Tinto’s $940 million AutoHaul programme which is on schedule to complete by the end of the year, aims to unlock safety and productivity gains for the company.

Once commissioned, the network will be the world’s first heavy haul, long distance autonomous rail operation.

The programme will optimise Rio’s iron ore system by providing more flexibility and reducing bottlenecks, Rio Tinto said.

“This programme symbolises both the pioneering spirit and innovative talents of many people across Rio Tinto and shows our absolute commitment to improving safety and productivity, as well as enabling greater flexibility across our operations,” Mr Vella said.

“We will continue to ensure our autonomous trains operate safely under the wide range of conditions we experience in the Pilbara, where we record more than eight million kilometres of train travel each year.

“We are working closely with drivers during this transition period as we prepare our employees for new ways of working as a result of automation.”