AT the Yulong Copper Mine in Qamdo, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, perched 5,000 metres above sea level on the rugged Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, ore transport trucks glide over gravel roads, winding through snow-dusted mountains and the thinning air.
Despite the harsh conditions, these trucks continue their journey unimpeded — remarkably, without a single driver behind the wheel — thanks to a groundbreaking autonomous driving project launched just three months ago.
The initiative is part of China’s ambitious drive for unmanned, eco-friendly smart mines, marking a significant leap forward in modernizing the high-altitude mining industry. By enhancing efficiency and reducing environmental impact, the project paves the way for a new era of mining in one of the world’s most challenging environments.
Officially launched on 29 September 2024, the autonomous driving project is a collaborative effort between Xizang Yulong Copper Mining Co., Ltd. under the Western Mining Co., Ltd., China Railway 19th Bureau Group Co., Ltd., and Huawei. This is the world’s first unmanned transportation system in an open-pit mine with an altitude above 5,000 meters.
Xinhua
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