Autonomous trucks are engaged in loading operations.

Centralized control operators monitor site conditions remotely from a centralized center

As the cold deepens, a fleet of wide-body electric haul trucks are moving back and forth in order at Shougang Mining’s Shuichang Iron Mine. Unlike previous scenes, these 10 haul trucks are driverless. They have successfully completed autonomous operation tests. This marks a significant milestone in Shougang Mining’s digital transformation, ushering in an era of automated, intelligent, and low-carbon haulage.

The third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee underscored the critical role of science and technology as foundational and strategic pillars of Chinese-style modernization. Shougang Group’s “innovation, excellence, and entrepreneurship” workshop highlighted the urgent need for steel enterprises to leverage digitalization to advance intelligent production, smart operations, and collaborative ecosystems, thereby enhancing manufacturing efficiency, environmental sustainability, and safety. The successful deployment of autonomous trucks represents a concrete example of Shougang Mining’s proactive engagement with the opportunities presented by the new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation. It showcases a practical, tailored approach to cultivating new quality productive forces at the grassroots level.

This is a breakthrough in traditional technology empowerment, making autonomous haul trucks a reality.

At 10:00 AM, operators and dispatchers in the production control center carefully monitor the autonomous trucks. They sit before consoles resembling sophisticated game simulators, designed for remote takeover for any issue that may arise. Each console features braking, acceleration, gear, and steering controls, while three monitors provide a comprehensive 360-degree view of each truck’s surroundings.

A large screen in the front displays a real-time overview of the mine’s haulage operations, with truck icons traversing a digital map of routes.

After meticulous commissioning, the autonomous trucks commenced operation, effectively replacing the traditional manual control by drivers within the cab. Unmanned, the trucks autonomously perceive, plan, decide, and execute all necessary commands, seamlessly executing start-up, movement, deceleration, avoidance maneuvers, obstacle navigation, stopping, and unloading, thus ensuring the smooth and orderly execution of all haulage, loading, unloading, and stopping procedures. Via 5G connectivity, operators and dispatchers in the control center two kilometers away remotely monitor each truck’s position, speed, mileage, and other critical operational data. 

“Leveraging modern information technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things, the Shuichang Iron Mine is actively advancing the development of a smart mine. We anticipate the integration of even more intelligent measures in production in the future,” explained Qiu Yongjiang, Deputy Director of the Equipment Office.

This dramatic change in resource allocation has resulted in a nearly 50% reduction in manpower

The adoption of an autonomous haulage system at the Shuichang Iron Mine has successfully replaced human labor and significantly reduced manpower needs in haulage operations. Under the previous operating model, each of the four daily shifts required 35 drivers to run 8 trucks operating on the front. With the autonomous trucks, each shift now requires only 1 operator and 1 dispatcher working indoors, 1 field supervisor, and 1 field operator ready to take over, totaling 18 personnel for all four shifts. This represents a 48.6% reduction in manpower, effectively alleviating the previous workforce shortages in haulage operations.

The operators and dispatchers manage the cloud-empowered control platform, harmonize intelligent dispatching, plot map data, and monitor operational information. They are ready to take over remotely in the case of anomalies, remotely intervening in the case of anomalies. The field supervisors and intervention operators are responsible for on-site coordination, patrols, and immediate intervention. This multi-layered control system ensures the smooth operation of the autonomous fleet.

To help the team adapt quickly, the mine organized several trainings with instructors from the equipment manufacturer. The training covered aspects such as the operational requirements for autonomous trucks, the entire operational workflow, differences from traditional operations, auxiliary terminal operation, truck inspections, and maintenance of intelligent components.

Li Wuxing, formerly a haul truck driver, has transitioned into the role of an indoor operator. He said enthusiastically, “The company’s digital transformation has directly benefited us frontline workers. I was a truck driver, working daily in a harsh outdoor condition with heavy physical demands. Now, I can complete my tasks from the comfort of the spacious and well-lit control center. The working conditions have vastly improved, and the workload is been significantly reduced.”

This active effort to enhance efficiency and optimize resource utilization has met expectations for haulage productivity

At the Shuichang Iron Mine, 10 autonomous trucks are operating at full capacity. Each truck runs at an average speed of 15 kilometers per hour while carrying approximately 74 tonnes of materials, achieving the projected overall efficiency gains.

Compared with manned vehicles, the autonomous trucks offer distinct advantages. Except for the need for charging, they can operate continuously around the clock, eliminating the downtime associated with driver shift changes and meal breaks.

Beyond maximizing the trucks’ capabilities, optimizing operational workflows is crucial in adapting the autonomous system to the specific production demands. During the commissioning phase, the mine’s personnel worked closely with the manufacturer’s technical team to enhance the haulage efficiency.

The dispatching process has been refined to achieve balanced distribution and flexible planning. The truck chassis control system autonomously calculates and coordinates the nearest truck for haulage, based on the loading time of the cable-powered excavators and queuing data, replacing fixed scheduling with flexible scheduling and minimizing queuing time for the trucks.

The loading process has been enhanced through precise positioning and human-machine interaction capabilities. The complex spatial environment and changing loading positions of the loading area presented challenges for truck parking. The trucks’ collaborative operation system utilizes “high-precision positioning and human-machine interactive scanning” to perceive the environment and automatically determine optimal positions for loading. With an integrated screen displaying map information, the operators of cable-powered excavators can fine-tune a truck’s parking position via the auxiliary terminal.

Through continuous optimization and testing, the autonomous trucks have achieved the targeted loading and haulage efficiency. Next, the mine’s technical team will continue to their in-depth efforts to refine the system, leveraging the autonomous haulage system to further drive productivity gains.

This concrete step towards enhancing intrinsic safety is achieved safety through automation in haulage operations

By prioritizing “safety through technological advancement,” the mine has strengthened its intrinsic safety management, freed drivers from onerous operations, and achieved enhanced safety by reducing human exposure to risks.

A robust framework has been established through the implementation of specific management rules. The mine controls access to the mining area, strictly prohibiting entry of unauthorized personnel and vehicles. All production-related vehicles accessing the mining area are equipped with auxiliary terminals, enabling communication between irregular vehicles and autonomous trucks. Upon encountering other vehicles, autonomous trucks automatically identify the approaching vehicles, adjusting speed, stopping, or maneuvering around obstacles based on the assessed risk level.

“Our biggest concern was always driver safety. Night driving often led to driver fatigue. Adverse weather conditions like rain or snow increase risks. Now, those worries are a thing of the past,” said Chen Xiaosong, Deputy Director of the Haulage Operations Area.

The autonomous trucks pose high requirements for road surface smoothness and width for safe operation. The Shuichang Iron Mine has undertaken extensive road repairs and improvements to the autonomous driving area. The Road surface variation does not exceed 300 millimeters, and the road width reaches 17.5 meters, or 20 meters on curves and 25 meters at crushers to fully accommodate the operation of the autonomous trucks.

As dusk settles, the mining area is bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun. The field supervisor gathers information by driving a vehicle equipped with an auxiliary terminal, within the mining area. The fleet of ten autonomous trucks runs smoothly with 100% uptime.

Digital transformation proves to be a powerful instrument in fostering new quality productive forces. Shougang Mining will continue prioritizing technological innovation as its primary competitive advantage, strengthening digital empowerment to drive improvements in production quality, efficiency, and power, and facilitating the enterprise’s high-quality development.