Rio Tinto automating Pilbara mines

Rio Tinto has unveiled details of its automated mine-to-port iron ore operations in WA's Pilbara region, which are currently being commissioned.

The mining giant revealed its ambitious automation plans last Wednesday. By the end of that week, it had formed an alliance with equipment supplier Komatsu to develop and deploy advanced autonomous haulage solutions.

In a statement on Friday, Rio Tinto said the Pilbara mines would be controlled 1300 km away at a new centre in Perth, with driverless trains carrying the ore on most of the 1200 km of track.

The plans include a driverless truck fleet and remote control drills.

Rio Tinto said it aimed to lead the charge for integrated and automated mining and transport in the Pilbara, leading to greater efficiency, lower production costs and more attractive working conditions.

Rio Tinto chief executive, Tom Albanese said the company had at least a three-year start on the rest of the industry, which has focused on discrete technologies rather than modernising the whole mine-to-port operation.

"It will allow for more efficient operations and directly confront the escalating costs associated with basing employees at remote sites, giving us a competitive advantage as an employer along the way," Albanese said.

"We are closely focused on supporting our Pilbara iron ore expansion through the application of world-leading automation technologies."