Rio Tinto flags Queensland automation expansion

Rio Tinto has flagged plans to introduce automated systems at its mines in Queensland's Bowen Basin.

The mining giant's managing director Tom Albanese told the Courier Mail that he saw automated technologies "propagating in Queensland" and that he hoped to "see an automated solution" brought to the state's operations.

However, he did not put a timeframe on introducing the technology to Queensland, restating Rio's commitment to focus on deploying the technology into a production mine in Western Australia for the first time.

iTnews reported last month that Rio Tinto had started putting driverless trucks into its Yandicoogina iron ore mine in the Pilbara region, following a multi-year trial at nearby West Angelas.

The miner has also set up an innovation centre in India to further develop its automation technology for application in Rio Tinto's other mines globally, like those in Queensland.