Hitachi and Rio Tinto Join Forces to Advance Remote Operation for Mega Excavators
Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. has inked a pivotal five-year Charter agreement with Technological Resources Pty Limited, a subsidiary of global mining giant Rio Tinto, to jointly develop remote operation technologies for ultra-large hydraulic excavators. The partnership, which strengthens an already well-established collaboration, is poised to redefine operational safety, efficiency, and sustainability in large-scale mining.
At the core of this initiative lies a shared vision: to build a future where ultra-large excavators can operate remotely, and ultimately semi-autonomously, across multiple mine sites.
These technologies will help Rio Tinto sustain its 24/7 operations in some of the world’s toughest mining environments, while setting new industry standards for digital transformation in heavy equipment.
Accelerating Mining Autonomy
Over the next five years, Hitachi and Rio Tinto will focus on developing and field-testing operator assist, remote operation, and partial autonomy features for Hitachi’s ultra-large hydraulic excavators. The collaboration will unfold at Rio Tinto’s mining sites in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, where these giant machines will be put through rigorous operational testing.
Partial autonomy will allow operators to set parameters such as initial digging and dump positions, after which the system can repeat operations automatically. This capability will not only optimise productivity but also reduce fatigue and risks associated with repetitive tasks, paving the way for more intelligent and adaptive machinery.
Hitachi aims to deliver an interoperable platform by 2030 that can coordinate multiple ultra-large excavators with partial autonomy across mine sites, laying the groundwork for a new generation of smart, connected mining operations.
A Legacy of Innovation and Collaboration
The alliance between Hitachi Construction Machinery and Rio Tinto is not new. The two companies have already worked together to test and verify the durability of critical excavator components such as booms and arms, as well as trial various operator-assist technologies. This next phase marks a significant evolution of that relationship, steering it toward practical autonomy and scalable deployment.
The joint initiative is part of Hitachi’s long-term roadmap to deliver technologies that enhance both safety and productivity. It also reinforces Rio Tinto’s commitment to integrating advanced automation and data-driven tools within its global operations. The companies will continue conducting performance evaluations across a variety of operational conditions to ensure adaptability and resilience in diverse mining environments.
Driving Technological Leadership
Hiroshi Kanezawa, Executive Officer and Vice President of Hitachi’s Mining Business Unit, expressed confidence in the collaboration: “Since entering the mining machinery business in the late 1970s, the Hitachi Construction Machinery Group has driven technology innovation for ultra-large hydraulic excavators in the industry. Our new concept ‘LANDCROS’ embodies our desires for ‘Customer’, ‘Reliable’, ‘Open’, and ‘Solutions’, reliable and open solutions for our customers, and expresses the direction that the Hitachi Construction Machinery Group wish to take. Under this concept, we are confident that open collaboration with Rio Tinto, which has extensive expertise in mining operations, will accelerate the development of highly versatile autonomous operation technologies for the benefit of the whole mining industry.”
Hitachi’s LANDCROS philosophy underpins the company’s strategic direction, focusing on open collaboration and the delivery of holistic solutions to customers. The partnership with Rio Tinto perfectly aligns with this ethos, demonstrating how shared innovation can fast-track progress toward autonomous and sustainable mining operations.
The Role of Remote Operation in Mining’s Digital Future
Mining companies around the world are rapidly embracing digitalisation, and automation is at the heart of that evolution. Remote operation technologies allow skilled operators to work safely from centralised control centres, far from hazardous mine environments. This not only enhances workforce safety but also opens doors for greater inclusion, enabling remote work possibilities within the mining industry.
For mining operations running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, such advancements are vital. By automating repetitive tasks and reducing dependency on site-based human intervention, companies can maintain consistent output, even in challenging conditions such as extreme heat or poor visibility. Additionally, automation enables improved precision, better fuel efficiency, and lower wear and tear, key factors in achieving sustainability goals.
Hitachi’s Global Vision for Smart Mining
With operations spanning over 60 countries, Hitachi Construction Machinery continues to push the envelope in machine intelligence and digital mining technologies. The company’s approach combines hardware innovation with advanced software integration, bridging physical machinery with data analytics and cloud-based systems.
In recent years, Hitachi has expanded its portfolio to include not just new machinery but also a growing ecosystem of value-added services. These include:
- Remanufacturing and parts services to extend equipment life cycles.
- Rental and used machinery solutions to support flexible operations.
- Data-driven monitoring systems for predictive maintenance and optimised fleet management.
This holistic approach cements Hitachi’s reputation as a true solutions provider for the mining and construction industries.
In fiscal year 2024 (ending March 2025), Hitachi Construction Machinery reported consolidated sales revenue of 1,371.3 billion yen, with 84% of that generated from overseas markets. The company employs around 26,000 people worldwide and continues to invest heavily in research and development to sustain its leadership in heavy equipment technology.
A Shared Commitment to Sustainable Progress
For Rio Tinto, automation and digitalisation are central to achieving its sustainability goals. The mining giant has been progressively deploying autonomous trucks, drills, and trains across its operations, reducing carbon emissions and enhancing safety standards. Partnering with Hitachi represents a logical step forward in expanding those capabilities to one of the most energy-intensive and labour-critical pieces of equipment in modern mining, the ultra-large hydraulic excavator.
As mining faces mounting pressure to decarbonise and operate more efficiently, collaborative innovation like this becomes essential. By pooling their respective strengths, Hitachi and Rio Tinto are not just improving mining productivity but also shaping the future of sustainable resource extraction.
Charting a Smarter, Safer Future
The Hitachi-Rio Tinto partnership is more than a technological alliance; it’s a statement about the direction mining is heading. Remote operation and autonomy are no longer distant concepts, they’re rapidly becoming operational realities.
Through projects like this, the global mining sector is transitioning toward a safer, smarter, and more sustainable future, one where technology empowers people rather than replaces them, and where efficiency and responsibility go hand in hand.
