Amid the wave of digital transformation in the mining industry, a major collaboration has quietly landed! In October 2025, global mining giant Rio Tinto and Hitachi Construction Machinery officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement to jointly advance the development of remote operation technology for ultra-large hydraulic excavators. This is not merely a technical marriage but a crucial step for the mining industry towards an intelligent, safe, and sustainable future.

(Group photo of both teams after signing the strategic cooperation agreement)

Collaboration Background: Addressing Pain Points, Jointly Tackling Mining Challenges

Mining operations involve complex environments and high risks, with operator shortages and safety hazards being persistent industry pain points. Rio Tinto, as a globally leading mineral resources company, processes massive volumes of ore daily at its Pilbara iron ore operations. Hitachi Construction Machinery is renowned worldwide for its ultra-large hydraulic excavators (such as the EX3600-7 and EX5600-7), having entered the mining machinery sector as early as the 1970s.

This collaboration stems from the long-term technical accumulation of both parties: As early as 2023, Hitachi began testing enhanced arms and booms at Rio Tinto's Brockman 4 site, increasing equipment durability by 1.5 times; in 2024, it introduced an Operator Assist System to prevent collisions between excavators and dump trucks and display load information in real-time. The 5-year agreement signed on October 8, 2025, shifts the focus towards remote operation and partial autonomous technology, aiming to build a "reliable and open" interoperable platform (embodying the LANDCROS concept: Customer, Reliable, Open, Solutions).

(A Hitachi Construction Machinery EX5600 excavator operating in an Australian mine)

Hiroshi Kanezawa, Vice President of Hitachi's Mining Business Group, stated: "Through open collaboration with Rio Tinto, we will accelerate the development of highly versatile autonomous operation technology that benefits the entire mining industry." This is not a simple supplier relationship but involves deep data sharing and a field feedback mechanism to ensure the technology is effectively implemented at the mine site.

Technical Details: How Remote Operation Reshapes Mining Productivity?

The core of the agreement is to develop an advanced remote control system, allowing operators to control excavators from a safe control center, enabling 24/7 continuous operation. Specifics include:

Remote Operation Technology: Low-latency video transmission and sensor feedback simulate the feel of on-site operation. Operators can control excavation and loading in real-time, avoiding exposure to dust, high temperatures, and potential collapse risks.

Operator Assist System: Automatic anti-collision functionality displays bucket and hydraulic cylinder load, helping assess machine status. Future support for single-operator control of multiple machines aims to improve efficiency by 20%-30%.

Partial Automation Functions: Automated excavation/loading operations, targeting the achievement of an autonomous platform for multiple ultra-large excavators (weighing 360-550 tons) by 2030.

Test Deployment: Field validation will be conducted in the Pilbara region of Australia, utilizing the ConSite Mine service to monitor load index. Expected outcomes include reduced accident rates, extended equipment lifespan, and a reduction of over 400 tons of CO2 emissions per machine.

This technology targets not only high-intensity scenarios like iron and copper mines but also emphasizes sustainability: contributing through remanufacturing and circular economy principles, aiding Rio Tinto in achieving its 2050 net-zero emissions target.

Industry Impact: Opening a New Chapter in the Intelligent Era of Mining

For mining industry practitioners, this collaboration signals significant changes: enhanced productivity, improved safety, and potential alleviation of the global operator shortage. Imagine future mines transitioning from labor-intensive to intelligently connected, with remote operation becoming the standard, driving the entire industry's digital transformation.

Rio Tinto's technology subsidiary, Technological Resources Pty Limited, will provide valuable mine site data, while Hitachi contributes its ICT/IoT expertise (such as the Unmanned Excavation System, UES). This is not just a win-win situation but sets an industry benchmark – other mining companies like BHP or Glencore may follow suit.

2030 Vision: An Interoperable Smart Platform

Hitachi Construction Machinery has set an ambitious goal: to establish a smart operation platform by 2030 capable of operating multiple ultra-large hydraulic excavators with partial autonomous functions within a mine site.

The realization of this vision will fundamentally transform traditional mining operations:

Enhanced Safety: Reduced personnel exposure to hazardous environments.

Increased Efficiency: 24/7 uninterrupted intelligent operation.

Reduced Costs: Lower labor requirements and equipment maintenance costs.

Environmental & Energy Benefits: Optimized operation paths reducing energy consumption.