In a statement to the New Zealand stock market yesterday, Scott Technology announced it had secured its third automation project with Rio Tinto in Australia, this time to automate the minerals laboratory at its West Angelas mine site.
Led by the company’s Rocklabs business unit, the project was expected to improve safety and optimise laboratory operations to drive better operational outcomes across the entire site.
Scott Technology chief executive Mike Christman said the project reinforced the company’s leadership in automation and built on the strength of its decade-long partnership with Rio Tinto.
"By delivering innovative products and solutions, we’re helping Rio Tinto achieve its goals of safer, more efficient, and sustainable operations, while ensuring their sites remain at the forefront of modern mining practices."
Scott Technology was previously awarded automation projects at Rio Tinto’s Gudai-Darri and Robe Valley sites.
The semi-automated Rocklabs system featured two Rio 350 Crushers and three ABM 3000 Pulverizers, designed to process up to 700 samples per day, the company said.
The system ensured consistent and high-quality data to support smarter decision-making and optimise site performance.
By reducing the need for manual handling, the system lowered the risk of human error and improved operational efficiency.
Located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, the West Angelas iron ore mine contributed significantly to Rio Tinto’s overall output with an annual production capacity of nearly 30 million tonnes.
Scott Technology minerals president Casey Jenkins said the project highlighted the power of automation to make mining operations safer and smarter.
"By automating hands-on processes in the lab, we’re improving worker safety while ensuring the delivery of more accurate, reliable data with less risk of errors.
"This data empowers Rio Tinto to optimise mine performance, minimise waste, and make significant strides towards its sustainability goals." —APL
