Nevada Gold Mines (NGM) and Komatsu have formed a partnership in the US, marking the first implementation of Komatsu’s FrontRunner autonomous haulage system (AHS) in the country.
This collaboration aims to enhance workplace safety and operational efficiency by automating NGM's fleet of 300-tonne (t) and 230t haul trucks across its surface operations.
Komatsu Mining Technology Solutions general manager Braden Weisheit said: “We are proud to partner with Nevada Gold Mines on this transformative initiative.
“The scale and ambition of this deployment mark a major milestone for autonomous mining in America. This collaboration reflects Komatsu’s commitment to delivering proven, world-class solutions tailored to our partners’ needs.”
To ensure the system's performance and reliability, Sedna and Nokia will establish customised 5G communications infrastructure.
This network is designed to provide the necessary high-speed, low-latency connectivity to enable the AHS to operate effectively, resulting in real-time data exchange and remote equipment operation.
Sedna CEO Peter Dormehl said: “This collaboration demonstrates how technology leaders can come together to create powerful, future-ready solutions.
“The 5G network will provide the robust foundation needed to support high-performance, safety-critical operations.”
Nevada Gold Mines is a joint venture (JV) between Barrick Mining, with a 61.5% share, and Newmont, holding a 38.5% share.
Established in 2019, this partnership has resulted in the creation of the world's largest gold-producing complex, encompassing ten underground mines and 12 surface mines.
Barrick president and CEO Mark Bristow said: “This is a strong example of how proven global solutions can be adapted to meet NGM’s specific operational needs.
“Barrick and NGM are committed to innovation that drives meaningful change. But more than that, it’s about protecting our people. By reducing the need for onboard operators, the FrontRunner system significantly minimises employee exposure to potential hazards, while enhancing more predictable fleet performance, better fuel consumption and continuous operations – all of which contribute to a safer, more sustainable future for mining.”
In a separate development, Barminco, Perenti's underground mining division, has secured a A$120m ($73.85m) contract with NGM for the Goldrush Project in Nevada, US.
The contract involves underground development and ground support services for the project.
