Caterpillar Inc. has renewed its agreement with Chichester Metals Ltd and FMG Solomon Pty Ltd—Fortescue Metals Group’s key operating entities—to continue supplying and operating Cat® MineStar™ Command for hauling across three of Fortescue’s major mining operations in Western Australia. This extended partnership signifies ongoing collaboration in deploying advanced autonomous mining solutions, supporting both operational efficiency and sustainability goals.
Mining Automation Technologies
- Autonomous Haulage System (AHS): AHS refers to technology that enables mining trucks to operate without direct human intervention, using onboard computers, sensors, and GPS to navigate and transport materials within mine sites.
- Collision Avoidance System (CAS): CAS is a safety technology designed to prevent accidents by detecting other vehicles, equipment, or obstacles and alerting operators or automatically intervening to avoid collisions.
- HaulX: HaulX is Fortescue’s proprietary platform that aims to integrate multiple systems—including AHS, CAS, fleet management, and machine guidance—into a unified solution for optimising mine operations.
The agreement covers several major Fortescue operations:
- Chichester Hub: Operated by Chichester Metals Ltd, this hub comprises the Cloudbreak and Christmas Creek iron ore mines.
- Solomon Mine: Managed by FMG Solomon Pty Ltd, this site is a key contributor to Fortescue’s output.
- Hive Centre: Located in Perth, the Hive centre serves as the remote operations hub from which Fortescue’s autonomous haulage fleet is monitored and managed.
By grouping these operations under a common technological framework, Fortescue leverages centralised control and oversight for improved safety and productivity.
Fortescue’s journey with autonomous mining began in 2012, when it became the first company worldwide to implement Caterpillar’s AHS on a commercial scale. The deployment of Cat MineStar Command—a comprehensive fleet management and automation system—has since supported mining activities across Fortescue’s sites for over a decade. This sustained adoption reflects both companies’ commitment to innovation and operational excellence.
Commenting on the renewed agreement, Dino Otranto, Chief Executive Officer of Fortescue Metals and Operations, stated: “Fortescue has led the industry in the large-scale deployment of autonomous haulage for more than a decade. This agreement ensures continuity in the use of Cat MineStar Command across parts of our operations, supporting safe, reliable and efficient performance on site.”
Marc Cameron, Senior Vice President of Resource Industries Sales, Services and Technology at Caterpillar, added: “Our work with Fortescue on autonomous haul trucks and systems to drive operational improvements at site has been longstanding. The Caterpillar team looks forward to furthering this advanced technology deployment and leadership built on the foundation of innovation set over a decade ago.”
The extended agreement underpins Fortescue’s continued emphasis on safety and operational efficiency, aligning with its ambitious 2030 Real Zero Target—Fortescue’s pledge to achieve net zero operational emissions by 2030. To this end, Fortescue collaborates closely with WesTrac, Caterpillar’s Western Australian dealer, to ensure seamless implementation and support of these advanced technologies.
Looking ahead, Fortescue is developing its HaulX platform, which will ultimately unify AHS, CAS, fleet management, and machine guidance. The CAS component is already well established, currently active across more than 400 assets—including approximately 80 heavy mining equipment units and over 320 light vehicles—at Fortescue’s Pilbara operations.
In 2024, Fortescue announced a partnership with Liebherr to co-develop and validate a new AHS specifically designed for integration with the zero-emission T 264 battery electric haul trucks. These trucks, developed collaboratively by Fortescue and Liebherr, are expected to become the world’s first zero-emission vehicles operating under an autonomous haulage system. As part of this initiative, the companies are also working on an integrated fleet management system and machine guidance solution.
A notable milestone occurred in August 2023, when Liebherr deployed a fleet of four T 264 autonomous trucks for onsite validation at Fortescue’s Christmas Creek mine. This trial, conducted at the Green Energy Hub—a facility dedicated to validating zero-emission and autonomous haulage technologies—marked a significant step in developing open autonomy products for the mining sector. Liebherr’s T 264 trucks have also been introduced at Fortescue’s Eliwana and Iron Bridge sites, initially as diesel-electric vehicles, with battery electric models being phased in.
In addition to these initiatives, Fortescue is preparing to deploy XCMG’s battery electric XDE260E trucks at its operations, with the first units anticipated to arrive in 2028, further supporting its sustainability objectives.
The extended agreement between Caterpillar and Fortescue marks another chapter in the evolution of mining automation, underpinned by clear milestones in technology deployment and sustainability. By integrating advanced systems such as AHS, CAS, and unified platforms like HaulX, Fortescue continues to set industry standards in safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility—demonstrating how collaborative innovation can drive meaningful progress in the global mining sector.