In a proactive move to further enhance safety in surface mining operations, Glencore’s McArthur River Mine (MRM) has successfully trialled RCT’s Remote Shutdown System on a grader and bulldozer and has now committed to installing the system on an additional five bulldozers.
As one of the world’s largest zinc and lead deposits, MRM operates heavy machinery in dynamic and often unpredictable conditions. The decision to trial the system was driven by the need for a rapid, remote shutdown capability in emergency situations.
“Bulldozers and graders are among the most difficult pieces of mining equipment to mount and dismount safely,” said RCT’s Mt Isa Branch Manager, Danny Ballard.
“In an emergency, reaching the operator can be extremely dangerous, especially if the machine is still running. That’s where our remote shutdown system makes a critical difference, allowing personnel to safely bring the machine to a stop without direct contact.”
Mr Ballard added that RCT offers a suite of safety and automation solutions tailored for bulldozers, including protection systems, ladder controllers, and advanced tele-remote and autonomous dozing capabilities.
“With the industry continuing to see bulldozer-related incidents, it’s vital that we equip operators and sites with technology that reduces risk and improves control,” he said.
RCT’s Remote Shutdown System is a robust, secure remote control solution that enables nearby personnel to manually shut down a machine in the event of an emergency—particularly if an operator is incapacitated or in distress.
The system is OEM-agnostic, meaning it can be installed on any make or model of machine, giving operators maximum flexibility.
“It’s about stopping a dangerous situation from escalating and this system allows emergency intervention without putting others at risk,” Mr Ballard said.
“It should be a standard safety feature on all bulldozers and graders,” he added.
According to Mr Ballard, this is the first time RCT’s Mt Isa branch has fitted the Remote Shutdown System to machines at nearby mines, but he expects it won’t be the last.
“With the kind of safety improvements this product offers, it’s clear these installations are going to be in demand across many more mine sites,” he said.
The success of the installation at McArthur River Mine also comes down to the people involved.
Jake Saliba, the RCT technician who led the fit-out, was praised by Glencore site personnel for his professionalism and capability.
“Jake’s conduct and performance on site were a key reason the job continued smoothly,” said Mr Ballard.
“His work was well received by the team, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.”
The installation comes as the mining industry continues to reckon with bulldozer-related incidents.
In Queensland alone, 19 bulldozer rollovers were reported between 2022 and 2023, many during routine activities like floor clean-ups and rehabilitation work.
These incidents have occurred in various operating conditions, highlighting the unpredictable nature of heavy machinery in dynamic environments.
While the current rollout focuses on bulldozers, RCT sees strong potential for expanding the technology to other high-risk machines such as excavators.
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For media enquiries, please contact:
Emma Young, RCT Communications Officer
