Volvo Autonomous Solutions (V.A.S.) and Boliden have formed a significant, long-term partnership to integrate autonomous transport solutions into Boliden’s operations. Their immediate focus will be on the Garpenberg site in Sweden, where autonomous solutions will transport rock fill from an on-site quarry.
Why It Matters
Autonomous solutions are poised to revolutionize industries by enhancing safety, increasing efficiency, and reducing emissions. The partnership between V.A.S. and Boliden underscores the momentum behind these transformative solutions, especially within the mining and quarrying sectors. By deploying such solutions, the aim is to address the industry’s most crucial challenges while fostering a harmonious relationship between humans and autonomous vehicles.
Key Points
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed by both companies, paving the way for various collaborative projects.
- Nils Jaeger, President of Volvo Autonomous Solutions, emphasized the benefits of autonomy, particularly in terms of safety, operational efficiency, and sustainability.
- Mikael Staffas, President and CEO of Boliden, highlighted the strategic significance of the partnership, mentioning that sustainable and competitive solutions are crucial for the future value creation of mining.
- V.A.S.’s contributions to the project include a full autonomous transport solution encompassing vehicles, hardware, software, control rooms, repair and maintenance, and training. The package will also feature V.A.S.’s in-house virtual driver and premium trucks from Volvo Trucks. Additionally, a wheel loader will be provided for loading operations.
- Boliden will prepare the Garpenberg site for the autonomous trucks, which involves adjusting its operations and establishing the necessary infrastructure.
Bottom Line
The collaboration between Volvo Autonomous Solutions and Boliden signals a substantial step forward in the integration of autonomous solutions in mining and quarrying operations. With the Garpenberg project set to kick off in 2023, this initiative promises to showcase the future of sustainable, efficient, and safety-centric mining operations.
