Fortescue Metals Group and Liebherr Mining have joined forces to develop a fully integrated AHS for zero-emissions vehicles.
The collaboration will help implement the first AHS with zero-emissions vehicles in Fortescue's iron ore operations in Western Australia's Pilbara region.
Fortescue said the partnership's objective is to create an AHS that not only enhances operational efficiency but also aligns with Fortescue's commitment to environmental sustainability.
The system will include a fleet management system (FMS), an onboard autonomy kit for the T 264 truck, and a high precision machine guidance system for loading equipment.
Specifically designed to optimise fleet utilisation and productivity, the FMS can reduce fuel and energy consumption and contribute to reduced carbon emissions.
The AHS will facilitate the control and coordination of mixed fleets comprising autonomous ultra-class mining trucks, autonomous road trains and autonomous light vehicles.
Fortescue Metals CEO Dino Otranto said: “Our deep expertise in autonomous haulage, that has come from operating over 200 diesel autonomous haul trucks across our mine sites, has enabled Fortescue and Liebherr to develop a fleet management system that uniquely targets efficiency and unlocks untapped capacity in our fleet.
“The partnership with Liebherr has enabled us to jointly develop the fleet management systems, which provide us with an OEM agnostic solution that can be integrated with any autonomous platform including trucks, drills, watercarts or any other heavy mining equipment. This critical technology puts our business in full control of our development priorities and roadmap.”
The latest collaboration builds on the existing alliance between Liebherr and Fortescue, which started in June 2022.
The two companies have a shared goal of creating a zero-emissions haulage solution that leverages Liebherr's OEM expertise and Fortescue's advanced fuel cell, battery and battery-electric technology.
Meanwhile, in March 2024, Magmatic Resources signed a farm-in and joint venture agreement with Fortescue subsidiary FMG Resources to explore the Myall Project in New South Wales, Australia.
