A resources and infrastructure business is pleased with initial heavy vehicle automation results at a mining operation.
MACA successfully completed a driverless truck trial at Capricorn Metals’s Karlawinda Mine, about 530km southeast of Port Hedland.
In the past driverless technology was almost always exclusively used by resources giants. However, the six-month effort showed good potential for smaller mining companies to automate their fleets too. The contractor will soon roll-out multiple autonomous trucks at the same mine site.
“We can achieve safety, efficiency and labour productivity gains … the same material movements with reduced fleet size and capital costs and opportunities to increase the skills base of our workforce,” CEO and managing director Sutton said according to Seven West Media.
MACA previously reported a widespread skills shortage during the second half of calendar 2021.
“The labour market has remained tight for skilled workers which has resulted in margins remaining flat on the June half,” the company said in its latest financial results.
“Whilst there has been wage escalation over the past 12 months the main margin impact has been largely due to lost productivity as a result of a shortage of staffing levels. MACA expects to see this ease somewhat upon the relaxing of Western Australia’s border entry requirements.”
The employer’s total workforce exceeded 3700 at the end of 2021. This includes 82 dump truck operator trainees, 74 apprentices, 17 drill trainees and 17 graduates.
The company reported a $20.8 million half-year net profit after tax, representing a 79 per cent jump on the prior comparative period.
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