Caterpillar, Inc. will supply autonomous trucks and technology for a new Australian iron ore operation. Mining giant Rio Tinto announced the deal last week.
The Deerfield-based Caterpillar will supply 20 autonomous 793F trucks and four blast drills for the mine located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The 793F trucks are initially assembled and tested in Decatur.
Denise Johnson is Caterpillar’s group president for Resource Industries.
"The Caterpillar team is looking forward to working with Rio Tinto to apply our proven mining equipment and technology and to implement additional MineStar autonomy solutions at Koodaideri--a new mine designed to capitalize on leading-edge technology," said Johnson.
A Rio Tinto press release says the Caterpillar partnership also includes an undisclosed number of loaders and other mining machines.
Construction on the $2.6 billion Koodaideri mine started earlier this year. Iron ore production is expected before the end of 2021.
