Volvo Autonomous Solutions (V.A.S.) has reached a significant milestone in autonomous mining operations, successfully hauling over one million tonnes of limestone for Brønnøy Kalk in Velfjord, Norway. The operation has covered more than 220,000 kilometers without a safety driver—proof of the reliability and efficiency of Volvo’s autonomous transport solution.
At the heart of the operation are seven Volvo FH trucks powered by V.A.S.’s proprietary virtual driver technology. These trucks navigate a challenging five-kilometer route through tunnels and steep inclines between the mine and crusher. Managed remotely via touchscreen by a wheel loader operator, the system runs around the clock.
Delivered as a Transport as a Service (TaaS) model under the Autona/earth brand, the solution includes everything from infrastructure and training to maintenance and fleet management. This enables Brønnøy Kalk to focus on production while V.A.S. manages the transport logistics.
“Hauling one million tonnes autonomously is a major accomplishment,” said Nils Jaeger, President of V.A.S. “It shows the future of mining is already here.”
Brønnøy Kalk General Manager Raymond Langfjord added, “This proves that autonomy improves efficiency, safety, and productivity. We’re proud to be leading the way.”
