Remote control mining from Rio's $60m nerve centre

The country's biggest iron ore producer can co-ordinate its mining, rail and port operations 1500 kilometres away in the Pilbara from the new centre. There is also scope to integrate BHP Billiton's assets if the mining giants' iron ore merger is finalised.

Rio Tinto iron ore chief executive Sam Walsh said the site would deliver major cost savings. It is staffed by more than 400 technical planning staff, controllers, schedulers and support staff who use video, radio and monitors to track employees and machinery.

The "mine of the future" concept, ultimately provides for driverless haulage trucks and trains, and remotely operated drilling and blasting. "No one else in the mining industry is doing this," Mr Walsh said. PICTURE: MOGENS JOHANSEN/WEST AUSTRALIAN