Rio Tinto Operators Will Go Remote with Hitachi

Under the new agreement, Hitachi will develop advanced systems enabling operator assist, remote operation, and partial autonomy, while Rio Tinto will deploy and test these technologies across its mine sites in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

These mines are among the largest iron ore operations in the world, where machines run continuously around the clock. The collaboration aims to enhance both safety and productivity by removing operators from hazardous environments and increasing machine uptime.

The planned technology will allow operators to set initial digging and dumping parameters, after which the system will automatically repeat the sequence, improving precision and consistency. Hitachi’s longer-term ambition is to build, by 2030, an interoperable platform capable of controlling multiple ultra-large excavators across several mine sites.

“Since entering the mining machinery business in the late 1970s, Hitachi Construction Machinery has driven technology innovation for ultra-large hydraulic excavators,” said Hiroshi Kanezawa, Executive Officer and Vice President of Hitachi’s Mining Business Unit. “Our new concept LANDCROS embodies our desire to offer reliable and open solutions. We believe that open collaboration with Rio Tinto, which has extensive expertise in mining operations, will accelerate the development of highly versatile autonomous operation technologies for the benefit of the entire mining industry.”

This new phase builds on several years of technical cooperation between the two companies. Hitachi and Rio Tinto have already tested operator-assist systems and verified the durability of key excavator components under heavy-duty mining conditions. The latest agreement expands that partnership into real-world deployment, aiming to transition from assisted operation to practical autonomy.

For Rio Tinto, whose operations in Western Australia represent the backbone of its global production, this collaboration reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to integrate advanced digital systems and automation across its value chain. The Pilbara region remains Rio Tinto’s most productive area, accounting for a major share of its annual iron ore exports to Asian steelmakers. The company operates vast networks of open-pit mines, railways, and ports, an infrastructure system already partially automated through its AutoHaul driverless trains and autonomous haul trucks. Introducing remotely operated hydraulic excavators is the next logical step toward a fully digital mine.

Australia’s broader mining landscape provides the ideal environment for this technological leap. The country remains a global leader in mineral production, supplying essential raw materials for steel, batteries, and renewable energy infrastructure. Iron ore remains its strongest export, but companies like Rio Tinto are increasingly diversifying into copper, lithium, and other critical minerals vital for the clean energy transition. However, this expansion comes with challenges: volatile commodity prices, extreme weather events, and rising energy costs are putting pressure on margins and sustainability targets.

Earlier in 2025, Rio Tinto faced major disruptions at its Dampier port following cyclonic weather, temporarily halting exports and underscoring the importance of operational resilience. The miner is also navigating energy price pressures that threaten some of its downstream assets, such as the Tomago aluminium smelter in New South Wales, which could close by 2028 without a more competitive energy supply.

Yet, despite these headwinds, Rio Tinto continues to invest heavily in its Australian base, recently announcing an investment of around USD 1.8 billion to expand its Brockman iron ore mine, expected to enter production by 2027.

The partnership with Hitachi should therefore be viewed not merely as a technology trial but as a cornerstone of Rio Tinto’s broader modernization strategy. As global demand for minerals used in renewable technologies continues to grow, efficiency, safety, and carbon reduction are becoming defining metrics for success. Remote and autonomous systems reduce the need for on-site personnel, improve fuel efficiency, and support round-the-clock operations—all crucial factors in maintaining competitiveness while meeting environmental goals.

For Hitachi Construction Machinery, the collaboration reinforces its commitment to open innovation with global mining leaders. By testing and refining its systems in real-world conditions in the Pilbara, the company strengthens its capability to deliver interoperable, autonomous equipment suitable for deployment across diverse geographies and mining methods. The project also supports Hitachi’s ambition to expand its value-chain business model, offering not just equipment but comprehensive life-cycle solutions that include data services, digital platforms, and predictive maintenance.

As autonomy reshapes the mining industry, the Hitachi–Rio Tinto partnership could set a precedent for how technology providers and resource producers work together. With mining operations running 24 hours a day and the industry under pressure to improve its environmental footprint, integrating smart automation into heavy equipment offers a pathway toward safer, more efficient, and more sustainable extraction.

Source: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. press release, Rio Tinto media updates, Reuters, The Australian, Mining Technology.