Rio Tinto announces date for automated rail system

published 20 February 2012

Mining titan Rio Tinto is splashing out on the creation of the world's first automated long distance heavy haul rail network, which will service its Pilbara asset in Australia.

The first driverless train will be launched in 2014, with the "AutoHaul" automated train programme scheduled for completion a year later, the company announced.

Rio's contribution to the cost of the creation of the $518m system is $478m and is part of the group's Mine of the Future programme launched in 2008.