Codelco–Hexagon autonomy MoU: traffic design and safety takeaways for mine engineers
Reviewed by Tom Sullivan
First reported on International Mining – News
30 Second Briefing
Codelco has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with Hexagon to co-develop and deploy technologies ranging from collision avoidance systems (CAS) to full haulage and drilling autonomy across its Chilean copper operations. The MoU covers joint exploration, development, validation and implementation of advanced fleet management, operator safety and automation solutions, with future site-specific agreements to formalise projects. For mine operators, this signals potential large-scale integration of Hexagon’s CAS and autonomous platforms into Codelco’s open-pit and underground fleets, with implications for traffic management design, training and change management.
Technical Brief
- Agreement framework allows site-specific projects to be formalised without renegotiating overarching safety and autonomy principles.
- Progressive automation pathway envisages intermediate driver-assist and traffic-control layers before full haulage and drilling autonomy.
- Safety focus extends to operator situational awareness, fatigue management and traffic segregation in mixed autonomous–manual fleets.
- Change management is likely to require revised operating procedures, training curricula and updated mine traffic codes.
Our Take
Codelco’s MoU with Hexagon on collision avoidance and autonomy sits alongside its recent smelter MoU with Glencore, signalling that the copper major is using partnerships across both processing and fleet technology to defend output as Chile debates a higher state role in mining.
With copper flagged in our database as heading into structural deficit, Codelco’s move towards higher automation and safety systems is likely aimed at sustaining high utilisation rates at existing operations rather than relying solely on greenfield growth.
Hexagon’s parallel access deal with Montana Technological University’s Underground Mine Education Center suggests that the Codelco collaboration could benefit from a pipeline of operators already trained on its underground safety and autonomy stack, shortening deployment curves at large copper mines.
Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining database, then reviewed for technical accuracy & edited by our geotechnical team.
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