Mining Goes Driverless: 200 Million Tons Moved Without a Human at the Wheel

At the Roy Hill iron ore mine in Australia, something remarkable has been happening — and it’s turning heads far beyond the dusty outback. Swedish mining and infrastructure giant Epiroc, together with Hancock Iron Ore, has now moved over 200 million tons of material entirely without human drivers. Yes, you read that right: no one behind the wheel.

This isn’t some futuristic experiment in a lab — it’s real, it’s massive, and it’s running every day. Mining has long been tipped as the industry most likely to lead the way in digitalization and electrification. The reason is simple: the stakes are high, the machines are huge, and efficiency gains translate into serious savings. And in Roy Hill’s case, they’ve proven that the technology is not only ready but already reshaping operations.

The magic happens thanks to LinkOA — Epiroc’s OEM-independent automation system, which doesn’t care whether your trucks, loaders, or other vehicles come from one manufacturer or a mix of brands. Since its launch in July 2021, LinkOA has completed over 846,000 autonomous haulage cycles, covering more than 5 million kilometers. That’s more than a dozen trips to the moon and back — all without a single steering wheel being touched by a human.

Previously known as Mobius, LinkOA enables mixed fleets to work together seamlessly, safely, and with a smaller environmental footprint. Hancock Iron Ore says it has already seen boosts in safety, efficiency, and sustainability since going autonomous.

For Epiroc, this milestone is more than just a number. It’s proof that open autonomy — systems that work for everyone, no matter the equipment brand — can deliver scalable, future-ready mining solutions. It’s also a reminder that when technology and customer collaboration meet, industries can leap forward faster than anyone imagined.

So while driverless taxis may still be ironing out their kinks in the city, deep in the Australian outback, the future of mining is already humming along — and it’s carrying a few million tons of proof in its tray.