Teck Resources is introducing driverless hauling trucks at its Highland Valley Copper operation in Logan Lake.
Apart from improved safety, there could be $100 million in savings across the company operations and $20 million alone at Highland Valley according to Teck.
The president of the Local 7619 of the United Steelworkers Kyle Wolfe is aware of the implications.
“As we slowly reduce the number, we have to increase the number of technologists: the machinists, the mechanics electrician,” he said. “You know the technology increases the manpower to support the equipment increases and ultimately the company told us before that we hope to see the same level of employment.”
Teck hopes to deploy a total of six driverless trucks by the end of the year.
“As technology increases, the company is always looking at ways to save money, increase productivity and increase safety,” Wolfe added. “When you look at a driver, it’s a person sitting in the cab of the truck.”
They’re an employee, but ultimately the company is trying to save money.”