Volvo Autonomous Solutions (VAS) has successfully hauled over 1,000,000 metric tons of limestone autonomously for customer Brønnøy Kalk in Norway. This achievement underscores the transformative impact of autonomous technology in the mining and quarrying industries.
To date, the autonomous transportation solution at Brønnøy Kalk’s quarry in Velfjord, Norway, has covered more than 220,000km, the equivalent of over five laps around the equator, and moved 1,000,000 metric tons of limestone, approximately the weight of 273 Eiffel Towers.
Nils Jaeger, president of Volvo Autonomous Solutions, said, “Hauling over 1,000,000 metric tons of limestone autonomously is a remarkable accomplishment. This milestone highlights how our autonomous technology is already driving meaningful results for customers like Brønnøy Kalk, turning what was once a vision of the future into a reality today.”
Operating in challenging conditions
The autonomous transportation solution includes seven Volvo FH trucks equipped with VAS’s proprietary virtual driver technology. They operate under challenging conditions, efficiently navigating a 5km route between the mine and crusher, which includes steep inclines and tunnels. A wheel loader operator manages operations via a touchscreen, coordinating truck loading and hauling. In 2023, VAS reached a major milestone for the industry by removing the safety driver at Brønnøy Kalk.
Raymond Langfjord, general manager at Brønnøy Kalk, added, “Our decision to adopt autonomy was driven by the need to improve efficiency, safety and productivity. This milestone highlights the progress we have made and the capabilities of Volvo’s autonomous transport solutions. We are proud to be at the forefront of industry innovation and to serve as a prime example of what autonomous technology can achieve.”
A comprehensive autonomous transportation ecosystem
Operating under the product name Autona/earth, the solution implemented at Brønnøy Kalk is a fully integrated ecosystem that includes infrastructure, operations, training, maintenance, repairs and fleet management. Delivered through a Transport as a Service (TaaS) model, Autona/earth is operated by VAS, which is the transportation provider at Brønnøy Kalk. This model enables Brønnøy Kalk to leverage the benefits of autonomous transportation without having to solve all the challenges that come with incorporating a new technology into existing operations.
“Autonomy is unlocking unprecedented potential in safety and productivity. Beyond these clear advantages, our solutions deliver substantial efficiency gains in mining operations through flexible fleet management, allowing customers to optimize the number of trucks in operation based on demand. Moreover, advanced data collection from sensors offers new avenues for operational insights and continuous improvements,” said Mikael Nyth, operations manager at VAS.
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