Automatic options/Two block cave miners are assessing their automation options

摘要

American mining giant Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold is examining more automatic -technology options at its Grasberg underground mine in Indonesia, as it begins trialling Caterpillars Minegem system. The company's affiliate in Indonesia, PT Freeport Indonesia, has installed the system on two of its load-haul-dump units in its block cave mine, with a view to eventually replacing the remote-controlled fleet with these autonomous units. Freeport spokesman William Collier said the team running the underground operations at Grasberg was excited to implement the technology.