Driverless equipment at Asarco’s Ray Mine. Photo courtesy of Asarco
ASARCO, together with Caterpillar® and Cat dealer, Empire Southwest, is proud to be embarking on a transformative journey at its Ray Mine operations with the introduction of Caterpillar’s autonomous haulage system (AHS), Cat® MineStar™ Command for hauling.
As ASARCO embarks on its next chapter, it is making history as one of the first mines in the United States to be fully autonomous using MineStar™ Command for hauling.
“This groundbreaking initiative marks another milestone in our journey towards safer, more efficient, and sustainable mining operations. By embracing innovation, we are setting new standards for the industry while creating valuable opportunities for our workforce,” said Michelle Lammers, ASARCO Operations Director in statement.
This significant technological investment will be integrating 11 new Cat® 794 autonomous haul trucks into one of the United States’ largest copper mining operations charting a pathway to a safe and sustainable future for the Ray Mine. As copper remains a critical mineral for the U.S., this deployment positions ASARCO ahead of the curve in modernization. It aligns with the company’s long-term vision to double its capacity, an ambition that reinforces ASARCO’s strategic growth and its vital role in securing the nation’s mineral supply.
The AHS project demonstrates ASARCO’s vision for the future of mining and our commitment to future proofing our workforce – one that embraces technology to improve productivity while further developing the exceptional talent within our organization.
The deployment of round-the-clock autonomous haulage technology is anticipated to enable production efficiency, equipment utilization and operational reliability. Most importantly, it will enhance workplace safety, creating a more secure operation for our valued workforce.
Transforming our operation creates compelling career advancement opportunities for all our current team members for developing expertise in digital systems and autonomous technology – positioning ASARCO as an attractive destination for digitally skilled professionals looking to build careers at the intersection of technology and mining innovation.
“We are proud to support ASARCO’s journey with the integration of Cat MineStar Command for hauling at Ray Mine. This highlights our collaboration and ASARCO’s commitment to leveraging advanced technology to optimize mining processes for operational excellence.” shared Marc Cameron, Senior Vice President of Sales, Services & Technology at Caterpillar.