Western Australia will play a key role in setting global safety standards for autonomous mining with reps from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) flying into Perth yesterday to examine the state’s proposed new codes and guidelines.
WA’s Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion said Western Australia is now recognised globally as a leader in the field of autonomous mine safety.
“This highlights WA’s leadership in developing the mines of the future,” Mr Marmion said. “It is about exporting not just our commodities but our expertise.
“We already have BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and FMG using autonomous machinery – remotely controlled by people in Perth and on-site – and we are committed to seeing this technology used safely.”
The Department of Mines and Petroleum and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA will host meetings between the ISO technical committee and the local working group which developed the WA guidance.
The working group comprises representatives of the regulator and autonomous system builders and operators. The ISO technical working group will then hold a two-day meeting to develop its international safety standards.
Fact File
- ISO Technical Committee 127 develops commercial and safety standards for machines used in earth-moving, mining and general construction
- The ISO standards are developed with co-operation between machine users, health and safety organisations, and manufacturers to achieve our common goal of developing machines that can be used safely
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