The Carajás mine in Pará state operates autonomous haul trucks controlled by AI, removing human operators from the most dangerous tasks in open-pit mining. The system optimizes routes, speeds, and loading sequences based on real-time production data.
Autonomous mining at Carajás is part of a broader digital transformation: predictive maintenance using IoT sensors, drone-based surveying, and AI-optimized blasting patterns. The mine is powered by the Tucuruí hydroelectric dam, making it one of the lowest-carbon large-scale mining operations globally.
The scale matters: Carajás produces over 65 million tonnes of iron ore annually, and Vale's total Brazilian operations exceed 300 million tonnes. Autonomous systems at this scale generate massive operational data, creating a feedback loop that continuously improves efficiency.