The introduction of driverless (autonomous) trucks in surface mining has brought significant changes to the industry, affecting safety, productivity, workforce roles, and risk profiles. in the line below, we highlight some impact of driverless trucks in surface mine.
Safety improvements and new risks
- Reduced human exposure: the primary benefit of autonomous trucks is improved safety, as they remove drivers from hazardous environments, reducing the risk of injuries and fatalities associated with manual truck operations.
- Emergence of new hazards: despite these safety gains, automation introduces new types of incidents and hazards not seen in conventional mining. common incidents with driverless trucks include lane breaches, proximity detections, and truck damage. these are often linked to road conditions, interactions with clean-up machines, and road obstacles.
- Residual risks: while automation reduces certain risks, it does not eliminate them. system-based roles, manual equipment operators, and supervisors still face exposure to risks, particularly in situations outside the designed parameters of the autonomous systems.
Productivity and cost efficiency
- Continuous operation: driverless trucks can operate 24/7 without fatigue, leading to increased productivity and reduced operational costs for mines.
- Predictable performance: autonomous trucks follow precise routes and instructions, resulting in more consistent and efficient haulage cycles.
Transformation of workforce roles
- New skills required: the shift to driverless trucks transforms traditional mining roles. workers develop new skills, such as managing virtual mine models, clearing objects detected by trucks, and operating system interfaces.
- Residual workload: although some manual tasks are eliminated, new residual tasks arise due to the limitations of automation. workers must monitor systems, intervene in non-designed situations, and adapt to new workflows.
- High trust in automation: mineworkers report a high level of trust in the predictable and transparent behaviour of driverless trucks, even after experiencing incidents. however, this trust can lead to complacency and over-reliance on technology.
Risk profile and incident analysis
- Incident frequency: analysis of incidents from 2014 to 2018 showed that driverless trucks had a slightly lower incident rate compared to manual trucks, but the nature of incidents shifted. for driverless trucks, the majority were lane breaches (44%), proximity detections (31.3%), and truck damage (7.4%).
- Comparison with manual trucks: manual truck incidents were more often related to driver injuries, truck contact, and procedural breaches, highlighting a shift in risk types rather than a complete elimination.
| aspect | manual trucks | driverless trucks |
| main hazards | driver awareness, ergonomics, | lane breaches, proximity detections, |
| loading unit interactions | road conditions, machine interactions | |
| incident types | driver injuries, truck contact, | lane breaches, proximity detections, |
| procedural breaches | truck damage | |
| workforce impact | traditional driving skills | system monitoring, tech skills |
| safety | higher exposure to injury | new types of tech-related risks |
| productivity | limited by human factors | 24/7 operation, higher consistency |
Regulatory and operational considerations
- Need for updated safety systems: the shift to automation requires mines to update their risk profiles and safety systems to address new hazards and ensure effective human-machine interaction.
- Regulatory guidance: authorities have issued codes of practice and safety bulletins to guide the safe deployment of autonomous equipment, emphasizing that new hazards must be managed proactively.
Conclusion
driverless trucks in surface mining have improved safety and productivity but have also introduced new risks and transformed workforce roles. the technology shifts the risk profile from traditional manual hazards to new types of incidents related to automation, requiring updated safety systems and new skills for mineworkers. trust in automation remains high, but complacency and over-reliance are potential concerns. ongoing evaluation and adaptation are essential to maximize the benefits and manage the risks of autonomous mining operations.
