Freeport-McMoRan to convert fleet of Cat® 793 trucks at its Bagdad mine in Arizona to autonomous haulage using Cat MineStar™ Command for hauling

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Oct 31, 2023, 07:30 ET

Agreement includes 33 Cat® 793 trucks being converted to autonomous haulage

Caterpillar will assist with autonomy deployment, change management and training

In addition to improving worker safety, Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) estimates change will cut Bagdad's GHG emissions and reduce idle time by 10,000 hours annually

IRVING, Texas, Oct. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) and Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) announce that the two companies are collaborating to convert the mining company's fleet of 33 Cat® 793 haul trucks at its Bagdad mine in Arizona to an autonomous haulage system (AHS) using Cat MineStar™ Command for hauling.

Caterpillar and Freeport-McMoRan are collaborating to convert the mining company’s fleet of Cat® 793 haul trucks to an autonomous haulage system.

"We look forward to partnering with Caterpillar to become the first U.S. copper mine to implement a fully autonomous haulage system and are excited about the numerous benefits it will bring to our Bagdad operation and employees," said Kathleen Quirk, President, Freeport-McMoRan. "The three-year conversion project is expected to improve safety, optimize our fleet, reduce GHG emissions through reduced idle time and position us to capitalize on future technological advancements in electrification."

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Command for hauling, Caterpillar has more than 620 autonomous trucks operating with 15 customers on three continents. While operating autonomously, these trucks have hauled more than 6.3 billion tonnes (6.9 billion tons) of material and traveled more than 230 million km (143 million mi) without causing any reported injuries.

"We are pleased to collaborate with FCX as they transition to fully autonomous haulage at Bagdad," said Denise Johnson, group president of Caterpillar Resource Industries. "The Cat 793 haul truck remains Caterpillar's most popular autonomous truck model and is well proven to enhance safety, increase productivity, and reduce idle time across multiple operations, including copper mines. Additionally, Caterpillar continues to work with Freeport, and other mining companies, to introduce new electrification technologies supporting their sustainability objectives."

Located approximately 100 mi (161 km) northwest of Phoenix, Ariz., the Bagdad mine is a porphyry copper deposit containing both sulfide and oxide mineralization. It consists of a near 85,000 ton-per-day (77,000 tonne-per-day) concentrator that produces copper and molybdenum concentrate and a solution extraction/electrowinning (SX/EW) plant that produces 9 million lb (4,1 million kg) of copper cathode per year. It is one of the oldest, continuously operating SX/EW plants in the world.

More details on Cat MineStar Command for hauling can be found by contacting a Cat dealer or visiting https://www.cat.com/.

About Caterpillar
With 2022 sales and revenues of $59.4 billion, Caterpillar Inc. is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we've been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed. Caterpillar does business on every continent, principally operating through three primary segments – Construction Industries, Resource Industries and Energy & Transportation – and providing financing and related services through our Financial Products segment. Visit us at caterpillar.com or join the conversation on our social media channels at caterpillar.com/en/news/social-media.html.

SOURCE Caterpillar Inc.