Volvo Autonomous Solutions achieve major milestone

29 May, 2025

Volvo Autonomous Solutions say the achievement at Brønnøy Kalk is just the beginning of a journey toward a safer, more productive future

More than 1 million tonnes of limestone hauled autonomously across 200,000km at Brønnøy Kalk

VOLVO Autonomous Solutions (VAS) have reached a major milestone in mining efficiency and productivity, successfully hauling more than 1 million tonnes of limestone autonomously across 200,000km for customer Brønnøy Kalk in Velfjord, Norway. The achievement underscores the transformative impact of autonomous technology in the mining and quarrying industries and the proven performance of Volvo’s autonomous transport solutions under demanding, real-world conditions.

Nils Jaeger, president of VAS, said: ‘Hauling more than 1 million tonnes of limestone autonomously is a remarkable accomplishment. This milestone highlights how our autonomous technology is already driving meaningful results for customers like Brønnøy Kalk, turning what was once a vision of the future into a reality today.’

Raymond Langfjord, general manager of Brønnøy Kalk, added: ‘Our decision to adopt autonomy was driven by the need to improve efficiency, safety, and productivity. This milestone highlights the progress we have made and the capabilities of Volvo’s autonomous transport solutions. We are proud to be at the forefront of industry innovation and to serve as a prime example of what autonomous technology can achieve.’

The trucks operate under challenging conditions, efficiently navigating a 5km route between the mine and crusher, which includes steep inclines and tunnels

The autonomous transport solution at Brønnøy Kalk includes seven Volvo FH trucks equipped with VAS’s proprietary virtual driver technology. The trucks operate under challenging conditions, efficiently navigating a 5km route between the mine and crusher, which includes steep inclines and tunnels. A wheel loader operator manages operations via a touch screen, co-ordinating truck loading and hauling. In 2023, VAS reached a major milestone for the industry by removing the safety driver at Brønnøy Kalk.

In 2023, VAS reached a major milestone for the industry by removing the safety driver at Brønnøy Kalk

Operating under the product name Autona/earth, the solution implemented at Brønnøy Kalk extends beyond autonomous trucks. It encompasses a fully integrated ecosystem that includes infrastructure, operations, training, maintenance, repairs, and fleet management. Delivered through a Transport as a Service (TaaS) model, Autona/earth is operated by VAS, who are the transport providers at Brønnøy Kalk. This model allows Brønnøy Kalk to leverage the benefits of autonomous transport without having to solve all the challenges that come with incorporating a new technology into existing operations.

According to VAS, innovative solutions such as Autona/earth are set to revolutionize the mining and quarrying industries by enhancing safety by removing personnel from hazardous environments and productivity through continuous 24/7 operations.

‘Autonomy is unlocking unprecedented potential in safety and productivity,’ said Mikael Nyth, operations manager at Volvo Autonomous Solutions. ‘Beyond these clear advantages, our solutions deliver substantial efficiency gains in mining operations through flexible fleet management, allowing customers to optimize the number of trucks in operation based on demand. Moreover, advanced data collection from sensors offers new avenues for operational insights and continuous improvements.’