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BHP Billiton plans to launch autonomous truck operations at its Eastern Ridge mine in Pilbara, Western Australia, next month, with a fleet of 20 Cat 793 haul trucks set to fully transition to autonomous mode by year-end.
The company announced earlier this year that Eastern Ridge (Newman East) would be the next site to adopt autonomous transportation, following trials at the Goonyella Riverside mine in Queensland. BHP also purchased 41 new Komatsu 930E-5 trucks for its South Flank iron ore operation, though autonomy deployment there remains unconfirmed. A spokesperson confirmed the Cat 793 fleet automation rollout will begin in late June/early July, noting the plan—delayed by the global pandemic—will resume full implementation by year-end.
In a February statement, BHP highlighted Eastern Ridge’s role as an innovation testbed, citing safety improvements and compatibility with existing infrastructure as key drivers. “Newman East is our innovation hub, so integrating technologies for safer, more efficient operations is a natural progression,” said Marie Bourgoin, Newman Operations General Manager. The transition will create 30+ permanent roles at Newman East, including route planning and autonomous system oversight from an on-site control center.
The initiative supports over AUD 33 million (USD 23 million) in local contracts, covering self-retrofitting kits, trailers, training development, and engineering packages. Newman East, part of BHP’s Newman complex (including Newman West/Mt Whaleback), currently has no plans to deploy autonomous trucks at the latter site.
