Caterpillar MineStar Command for Underground has been announced as Tasmania’s top Engineering Excellence Award winner and Sir William Hudson Award finalist. The winner is a ‘gamechanger’ for people with disabilities
Underground mining is inherently dangerous. The new MineStar Command for underground with Autodig, now available on Caterpillar’s underground loaders, is an advanced remote, semi-autonomous and fully autonomous mining system that allows operators of various skill levels to safely mine ore from the safety and comfort of a remote operator station.
This system is a key enabler to the diversification of the underground mining industry by creating the opportunity for pregnant employees and employees with disabilities to actively participate in mining, regardless of physical or medical restrictions.
The Australian Engineering Excellence Awards (AEEA) recognize Australia’s top engineering projects and the engineering teams behind them.
Following a rigorous judging process by an independent panel of experts, projects from each of Engineers Australia’s nine divisions are selected to win an AEEA. One winner from each division is also selected as a finalist for the Sir William Hudson Award – the highest honor for a project awarded by Engineers Australia.
Engineers Australia General Manager – Tasmania, Darren Beattie, congratulated all winners on their teamwork, innovation, and technical excellence. Mr Beattie said:
“The Australian Engineering Excellence Award winners showcase the outstanding achievement in engineering and the invaluable contribution engineering makes to the economy, community and the environment.”
Mr. Beattie reserved special praise for the winning project, calling it ‘game-changing’ technology. He said:
“The Caterpillar MineStar Command Caterpillar or Underground is a shining example of how human-centered engineering is providing people with disabilities greater access to employment opportunities.”
Australian Engineering Excellence Award winners – Tasmania
- Caterpillar MineStar Command for Underground (Caterpillar Underground Mining Pty Ltd)
- Port of Burnie Post-Panamax Container Crane Demolition (Tasmanian Ports Corporation, BridgePro Engineering)
- UTAS Stadium – Field of Play Reconstruction (Hazell Bros).
Professional Engineer of the Year Award winner – Tasmania
- Seth Langford MIEAust
Young Professional Engineer of the Year Award winner – Tasmania
- Michael Healy MIEAust
The Sir William Hudson Award, National Engineer of the Year Awards, and a multitude of other awards will be announced at Engineers Australia’s Pinnacle Awards ceremony, taking place on Monday 9 November 2020.
Source: Engineers Australia
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