Komatsu has said it will deploy FrontRunner, its Autonomous Haulage System (AHS), on a total of 62 ultra-class haul trucks by 2024. The autonomous technology will be added to the 930E model and will be showcased at Los Bronces, a Chilean open-pit copper mine which is operated by Anglo American, a global mining company.

“FrontRunner AHS is designed to help mines increase production while promoting zero harm,” said Anthony Cook, Vice President for Autonomous Systems at Komatsu. “We’re pleased that Anglo American, a long-time partner, has chosen FrontRunner to help achieve their goals and we look forward to continuing to collaborate on future optimisation opportunities.”

FrontRunner has already been used on over 525 trucks since its first commercial deployment in 2008 at CODELCO’s Gabriela Mistral (Gaby) copper mine in Chile. Komatsu’s approach for FrontRunner AHS brings together ultra-class dump trucks with Modular Mining’s industry-leading DISPATCH® Fleet Management System.

“We are excited to participate in this initiative to implement autonomous technology and look forward to the opportunity to leverage FrontRunner AHS to help us optimise our mine operations at Los Bronces. We are convinced that technology is an enabler to improve the way we work and move toward a safer and more sustainable operation, where people are the protagonists of innovation and are at the center of everything we do,” added Cristobal Mimica, Mine Modernisation Manager Los Bronces, Anglo American.

In September 2021, the machinery giant outlined its steps for carbon neutrality by 2050. In January 2021, the firm rolled out its Intelligent Machine Control 2.0 to boost productivity on select dozer models.