Perth’s Resources Technology Showcase 2019: Fortescue’s innovation makes it a ‘high-tech start-up’
Fortescue Metals Group reckons it is more akin to a tech start-up given the leading roles innovation and technology have played in its startling fast rise into one of the world’s biggest iron ore miners.
“Innovation really did underpin every step ... from the exploration success to the mining methods, employed, (and) the bespoke financing arrangements,” FMG chief operating officer Greg Lilleyman told the Resources Technology Showcase today.
“Fortescue can really only be described as a hi-tech start-up,” he said.
The WA-based group is probably best known in the technology arena for its growing adoption of automation, particularly in its rail network and haulage operations.
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Beginning at its Solomon mining hub, FMG has gradually rolled out driverless trucks across its Pilbara network, using Caterpillar automation technology.
Mr Lilleyman said FMG was poised to become the first mining company to operate a fully autonomous mining fleet from mid-2020. As of today, it has 147 driverless trucks, which have racked up 37 million kms without incident.
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“Not surprisingly, we haven’t had one injury to one employee in our haulage operations since automating,” he said.
“At the end of the day, removing people from harm’s way and making sure that our operations are fundamentally safe is very important in our industry.”
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