Boliden and Volvo Autonomous Solutions (VAS) have entered into a long-term strategic collaboration regarding the implementation of autonomous transport solutions (ATS) at Boliden’s mines. The first project is located at the Garpenberg mine and will be initiated during 2023.
The ATS will move rock fill from an on-site quarry at the Garpenberg mine. The transports will cover a distance of up to 4 km and include five trucks. The ATS includes vehicles, hardware, software and training. Based on transport as a service (TaaS) model, the ATS will be built on Volvo’s premium truck range and VAS’s in-house developed virtual driver. VAS will also provide a wheel loader for the loading operation.
“It is of course very satisfying that we can be far ahead in technology development and ensure the continued development of our business. Automation is an important part of increasing safety and competitiveness. With this collaboration, we further increase our competence and experience,” said Daniel Eklund, director technology, Boliden Mines.
The agreement around autonomous transports in Garpenberg is the first collaboration within a strategic MoU between Boliden and VAS aimed at developing new technology related to electrification underground, remote-controlled loading and autonomous underground transports.
