The largest Canadian oil sands producer confirmed last week it has embarked on a one-year pilot project involving the use of six 400-tonne Komatsu autonomous haulers in an isolated part of Suncor's mine site in northern Alberta.
Suncor experienced a 50% reduction in incidents and a 3.5% productivity increase by training trucks operators using both computer-based and hands-on tools.
The funding, which includes direct investment and grants, aims to help the asteroid mining company launch its first commercial prospecting mission by 2020.