The future of autonomous mining. XCMG automation manager Morgan David has a bold plan to usher Australia’s autonomous haulage solutions into a new era.
Autonomous mining has evolved from science fiction to a reality in recent years. Major Australian mining companies are revolutionising their operations through advanced technology.
The benefits of autonomous equipment
- enhanced productivity
- increased safety, and
- reduced costs—have driven its rapid adoption in the industry.
XCMG, a leading equipment manufacturer, is at the forefront of this transformation.
It has over 30 years as China’s largest mining and construction equipment manufacturer. It also ranked third globally by International Construction Magazine in 2022. XCMG is now bringing its expertise to Australia with ambitious plans for autonomous mining.
Morgan David is leading XCMG’s global autonomous expansion, starting in Australia. With over a decade of experience in autonomous haulage solutions (AHS), David is leveraging his knowledge to support XCMG’s rollout.
“We have over 65 dedicated engineers working on AHS, and more than 5700 people working across our entire research and development (R&D) department,” David told Australian Mining.
“Our team is working hard to hit the ground running and build off the industry knowledge that has amassed over the years autonomous mining has been developed.”
XCMG’s autonomous strategy focuses on intelligent capabilities, AI software, and advanced features. From mining trucks to loaders and dozers, XCMG is committed to offering cost-effective and safer solutions for miners worldwide.
“Our mission is to make these solutions cost effective for all Australian miners while delivering a high-quality product,” David said.
“Our manufacturing capabilities from our facilities in China mean we can offer Australian-standard equipment without the premium that comes with other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
“China has the lowest hardware costs on the market, and the quality has come along in leaps and bounds over the past few years to the point where it’s more than up to scratch for the Australian mining industry.”
By offering greater value for customers and a lower entry price, XCMG is aiming to set a new standard of efficiency and sustainability in the Australian mining sector.
“Our equipment is new age, based on the latest developments in autonomous technology,” David said. “For example, autonomous XCMG equipment is being developed with the latest green energy technology as we speak, whereas many other OEMs are having to retrofit that technology into their machinery.
XCMG sees autonomy as a key enabler for the green energy revolution.
“Our goal is to provide comprehensive solutions for green energy, electrification, and decarbonisation,” David said. “Other OEMs cannot compete with the quality, cost-effectiveness, and comprehensiveness of our solutions.”
XCMG is rolling out its autonomous technology in phases, starting with heavy rigid dump trucks, followed by loaders, including the XC958EV wheel loader, and then tele-operational and semi-autonomous dozers and auxiliary machinery. This holistic approach extends to the broader construction industry, drawing on diverse applications to enhance XCMG’s AHS capabilities.
“We’re conducting detailed gap analyses to align our solutions with our goals,” David said. “This allows us to develop a roadmap for embedding advanced support and engineering frameworks into our equipment.”
For XCMG, customer feedback is crucial in developing autonomous solutions. “We’re setting up a facility in Perth to support customers and conduct R&D,” David said.
During a visit to a customer in Mongolia, David saw the potential of AHS firsthand.
“This particular customer is looking to expand quite dramatically over the next 12 months,” David said.
“At first, they weren’t sold on the trucks when they first arrived, but after seeing the benefits in safety and productivity they’re willing to go all in. Now that it’s clear the significant benefits our AHS can bring to the Chinese market, we’re confident the Australian mining industry will be able to reap the same rewards.”
XCMG’s dedication to advancing AHS in Australian mines marks a significant step towards a future where innovation and sustainability are intertwined. By advancing at the pace required to meet global green obligations, XCMG is paving the way for a more efficient and environmentally conscious mining industry.
“XCMG is at the forefront of developing the latest AHS innovations, and we’re determined to bring those solutions to the Australian market,” David said.
“I’m committed to growing the AHS team for years to come and setting up our customers with the value and quality they can only get with XCMG.”