Alpayana and Epiroc have reached a major milestone in Peruvian mining by automating the country’s first Load Haul Dump (LHD) using the agnostic AutoNav solution, a technology that enables remote control of multiple units and strengthens a scalable, safe, and efficient operating model.
With the opening of the WIRAQ Control Room at the Morococha Mining Unit and the implementation of Epiroc’s AutoNav technology, operators can now monitor and operate equipment simultaneously and remotely, without needing to physically enter the mine.
At more than 4,300 meters above sea level, mining operations face critical challenges in access, safety, and connectivity. The ability to operate underground equipment from the surface-level WIRAQ Control Room accelerates the transition toward a safer, more efficient, and more sustainable operation.
This milestone marks the beginning of a new era for underground mining in Peru.
“At Alpayana, we are committed to innovation, safety, and efficiency, and the inauguration of the WIRAQ Control Room at the Morococha unit is proof of that commitment. Thanks to our partnership with Epiroc, we have implemented state-of-the-art technology that enables us to operate equipment autonomously, reduce risks, and optimize processes,” said Alessandra Mandriotti, Manager of Transformation, Talent and Technology at Alpayana.
“At Epiroc, we have automated more than 1,300 underground loaders worldwide, consolidating our expertise in smart mining through agnostic solutions. In Peru, we have already implemented these automation solutions in open-pit mining. Today, we celebrate a new milestone together with Alpayana: the commissioning of the first automated loading unit in underground mining. This achievement reaffirms our commitment to driving innovation and safety across the mining industry,” said Dewi Cano, Business Line Manager, Andean–Caribbean Region.
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