Inside Fortescue’s AI ‘hive’ that could save the mining giant billions

More than $1 billion. That’s how much money Fortescue could save each year by eliminating diesel at its sprawling iron ore mining operations in the Pilbara. Instead, it is suggested to use solar energy. And the only thing that makes that a reality? A whole lot of artificial intelligence.

“We lit the thing up like a Christmas tree,” says Fortescue chief executive Dino Otranto of a 600-kilometer network of transmission lines and renewable energy assets stretching across the northern reaches of Western Australia – all connected to a nerve center in Perth where AI manages the power supply.

Load…