Global mining services provider Thiess and leading autonomous haulage solutions firm EACON have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deliver OEM-agnostic autonomous technology and advance decarbonisation in the mining industry
The MoU paves the way for Thiess to offer more sustainable, efficient, and safer mining solutions to its clients globally through EACON’s expertise in autonomous driving technology and electric and hybrid truck engineering, while EACON has the opportunity to conduct early production trials at Thiess’ Australian and international mining operations.
Thiess Group Executive Chair and CEO Michael Wright said: “Thiess has been involved with the delivery of autonomous mining services since 2013 and we are looking forward to exploring EACON’s OEM-agnostic autonomous solutions. These have the potential to reduce the significant capital expenditure barrier to autonomous haulage by enabling the cost-efficient conversion of conventional fleet to full autonomy.
“We’re also interested in EACON’s hybrid and electric truck technology, given our global 1200-strong haul truck fleet and commitment to decarbonising our operations. We look forward to leveraging EACON’s innovative autonomy and electrification solutions to offer lower-emissions mining to our clients, many of whom are on the journey to net zero by 2050.”
EACON Mining Australia COO Elaine Jin stated: "Partnering with Thiess marks a significant advancement in our global expansion.
“Our autonomous and sustainable mining solutions are currently operating in more than 500 dump trucks across 13 mines. We’re confident that offering our cutting-edge autonomous haulage system will enhance Thiess' efficiency and have an immediate impact on improving fleet safety and fuel efficiency.”
Thiess and EACON’s collaboration will kick off with identification of suitable Thiess mining operations to commence the trials of EACON technologies.
ENDS
Issued by Thiess Pty Ltd ABN 87 010 221 486 thiess.com
Caption for attached photos:
- Thiess 1.jpg: Thiess Group Executive Chair and CEO Michael Wright with EACON Mining Australia COO Elaine Jin, shaking hands after signing the contract.
- Thiess 2.jpeg: EACON Mining Australia COO Elaine Jin announcing the contract and Thiess Group Executive Chair and CEO Michael Wright listening to her.
- Thiess 3.jpeg: Thiess Group Executive Chair and CEO Michael Wright with EACON Mining Australia COO Elaine Jin at the Thiess MINExpo 2024 booth during the media announcement
- Thiess 4.jpeg: Thiess Group Executive Chair and CEO Michael Wright at Thiess' Media Ceremony during MINExpo 2024 with EACON Mining Australia COO Elaine Jin delivering remarks about the partnership
About us:
About Thiess
Thiess partners with its clients to deliver sustainable solutions in open cut and underground mining in Australia, Asia and the Americas. Thiess operates across the mine life cycle from engineering, mine planning and development, asset management, extraction and haulage, and rehabilitation.
Established in 1934, Thiess operates across diverse commodities, geologies, environments and cultures. As a global services provider, Thiess is uniquely placed to make a significant contribution to responsible, sustainable mining and a low-carbon future by working with its clients, suppliers and the industry to enable the global energy transition.
Visit thiess.com
About EACON
EACON Mining, founded in May 2018, specializes in providing safe, efficient, and sustainable full-stack autonomous haulage solutions. EACON’s innovative autonomous haulage solution, ORCASTRA®, features a distributed architecture that significantly lowers the barriers to adopting autonomous driving technology. It offers greater flexibility and adaptability to different open-pit mining environments and more challenging, diverse scenarios. Combined with EACON’s expertise in emission-reducing powertrain designs, EACON offers multi-brand hybrid electric and battery electric autonomous solutions or retrofitted autonomous solutions, helping drive the safer and greener future of the mining industry.
Visit eacon.com/en
Contact details:
Thiess – Vivian Lim, Group Manager – Marketing and Communication vlim@thiess.com
EACON - Troy Du, Branding and Marketing Manager overseas@eacon.com
