Autonomous Iron Ore Mine Receives Shingo Prize
The Vale Brucutu Mine in Minas Gerais, Brazil, uses autonomous haul trucks and other vehicles to transport iron ore. Photo courtesy Caterpillar Inc.
LOGAN, UT—An iron ore mine that uses state-of the-art autonomous vehicles is the recipient of the 2026 Shingo Prize, an annual award that recognizes continuous improvement and organizational excellence. The Vale Brucutu Mine in Minas Gerais, Brazil, was honored for significant gains in efficiency and waste reduction, as well as the creation of a healthier and more collaborative work environment.
Vale's autonomous program began in 2018 at the Brucutu mine. Currently, there are more than 70 autonomous pieces of equipment in operation at the company, including haul trucks, drills and yard machines. Vale plans to expand its fleet in the near future and add approximately 90 autonomous trucks by 2028.
“The use of autonomous transport technologies in our operations…is a fundamental strategy to strengthen our culture of operational excellence and prepare our teams to lead the challenges of increasingly efficient, competitive and sustainable mining,” says Carlos Medeiros, vice president of operations at Vale S.A.
According to Medeiros, autonomous trucks “remove workers from hazardous areas, enabling safer and more inclusive environments, and increasing operational efficiency.” Because of driverless vehicles, Vale has achieved gains of up to 15 percent in operational performance and a reduction of up to 7.5 percent in fuel, contributing to a reduction in the company's carbon emissions.
The Shingo Prize is named after Shigeo Shingo (1909-1990), a Japanese expert in lean manufacturing and total quality management who worked closely with Taiichi Ohno, the father of the Toyota Production System. It is administered by the Shingo Institute at Utah State University’s Huntsman School of Business.
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