Published: September 23, 2022 |

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ioneer Ltd has successfully completed a technology system supply agreement with Caterpillar, the world’s largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment and a leader in developing autonomous technology.

The agreement concerns the adoption of the Cat® MineStar™ command for hauling autonomous haul system (AHS) at ioneer’s Rhyolite Ridge LithiumBoron Project in Esmerelda County, Nevada.

ioneer cites the results of the Rhyolite Ridge feasibility study in February 2021 as evidence of AHS’ viability at the mine, which the company believes improved overall cost, safety and productivity.

“We are pleased to continue to solidify our partnership with Caterpillar as we work towards commencement of production at Rhyolite Ridge,” ioneer Managing Director Bernard Rowe said.

“We continue to believe the incorporation of an autonomous haulage system and other Caterpillar technologies at Rhyolite Ridge will only further our goal to improve project safety and operational efficiency,” Rowe added.

Cat autonomous mining trucks have hauled nearly 5 billion tonnes of material worldwide, driving more than 177 million kilometers without a lost-time injury.

“As the first greenfield operation in North America to deploy AHS, ioneer is demonstrating true industry leadership and foresight,” Cat Mining Vice President and General Manager Sean McGinnis said.

“Our team is excited to work together with ioneer to improve safety and increase productivity,” added McGinnis.

Operations are scheduled to begin in 2024 with a fleet of Cat 785 next generation mining trucks equipped with command for hauling, and the fleet is scheduled to expand significantly in 2028.

Support equipment will feature the latest MineStar technology leveraging high-precision GPS and real-time analytics to ‘maximize efficiency and accuracy in material loading’.

“We are excited to continue our collaboration with ioneer by supporting the equipment in the first greenfield autonomous site in Nevada,” Todd Gilligan, Cashman Equipment Co. vice president of sales and rental in Las Vegas, said.

“ioneer has continued to show their desire to be a safe, highly productive, and technology leading lithium producer in the U.S.,” Gilligan added.

The equipment, technology and services for the first five years of operation is valued at approximately US$100 million and may be financed through Caterpillar Financial Services, subject to definitive legal documentation.

Source: Proactive Investors

About ioneer
ioneer Ltd is the 100 percent owner of the Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project located in Nevada, the only known lithium-boron deposit in North America and one of only two known such deposits in the world. The definitive feasibility study (DFS) completed in April 2020 confirmed Rhyolite Ridge as a world-class Lithium and Boron Project that is expected to become a globally significant, long-life, low-cost source of lithium and boron vital to a sustainable future. In September 2021, ioneer entered a 50/50 joint venture agreement with Sibanye Stillwater to advance the Rhyolite Ridge project and signed a separate offtake agreement with Korea’s EcoPro Innovation in 2021. ioneer will be the operator of the project, which is expected to come onstream in 2025.

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