Suncor plans to implement autonomous trucks to axe around 400 jobs

Alberta-based Suncor has plans for a phased implementation of autonomous haulage systems (AHS) at its operated mines, a move that is expected to lead to 400 job cuts.

Under this plan, the firm intends to deploy more than 150 autonomous haul trucks over the next six years.

The AHS programme will begin with the North Steepbank mine.

According to the company, this is one of the largest investments in electric autonomous vehicles.

Following an evaluation over the last four years, the company has decided that the AHS technology is safe and efficient for its operating environment.

These evaluations have indicated the several advantages that the technology offers over existing truck and shovel operations. Among the benefits include enhanced safety performance, better operating efficiency and reduced operating costs.

Suncor chief operating officer Mark Little said: “Suncor was the first company to transition from bucketwheel to truck and shovel operations in the early 1990s and we’re continuing to be on the leading edge of oil sands technologies today.

“To be the very first company to test these systems and implement them at a commercial scale in our oil sands mining operations speaks to our long history of embracing and implementing game changing technologies – it’s simply part of our DNA.”

According to the company, autonomous trucks operate predictably and use a suite of safety features such as prescribed route mapping and obstacle detection systems.

Little added: “Safety is our number one value at Suncor. Autonomous haulage systems reduce interaction between people and equipment, which decreases incident rates and injury potential – helping us ensure everyone goes home safely at the end of every day.”

The implementation of AHS is expected to impact heavy equipment operator positions over the next six years. The company plans to work with unions to minimise workforce impacts.

In 2019, there would be a reduction in heavy equipment operator positions at Base Plant operations.

Suncor had close to 13,000 employees at the end of 2016, including more than 6,000 employees at its oil sands business unit.

With this move, Suncor will become the first Canadian oil sands company to roll out autonomous trucks.

Although the firm began acquiring these trucks in 2015, it has been operating the vehicles with drivers.