Mineral Resources Limited (ASX:MIN): Onslow Iron Haulage and Autonomous Road Train Plans

Aditi Sarkar

13 October 2026 04:14 AM AEDT

Mineral Resources Limited (ASX:MIN): Onslow Iron Haulage and Autonomous Road Train Plans

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Highlights

Onslow Iron connects Ken’s Bore to the Port of Ashburton by a private 150km haul road.
Custom-built road trains each carry more than 300 tonnes of ore.
Autonomous conversion remains a company programme rather than proof of full-fleet operation.
FY26 attributable Onslow Iron shipments reached 19.7M wmt.
Road condition, fleet availability and port logistics influence ore movements.

Mineral Resources Limited (ASX:MIN) is an Australian mining and mining services company operating across iron ore, lithium and mine-to-port logistics. At its Onslow Iron project in Western Australia, a dedicated road haulage system links the Ken’s Bore mine to port infrastructure. The private corridor supports the movement of ore through a supply chain involving crushing, truck loading, storage and offshore transhipping, while the company continues work on autonomous transport technology.

A Private Route From Ken’s Bore to Port

Mineral Resources Limited (ASX:MIN) operates a sealed and fenced private haul road extending approximately 150km from Ken’s Bore to the Port of Ashburton. According to the company, the corridor passes beneath the North West Coastal Highway and Onslow Road, keeping the project’s road trains physically separate from public vehicles. Roadside monitoring stations support vehicle condition checks and route management.

The ore supply chain begins with drilling and blasting, followed by crushing and stockpiling. Material is then loaded onto road trains for transport to port storage. At the Port of Ashburton, ore moves through enclosed conveyor and transhipping infrastructure before reaching larger export vessels offshore.

Road Train Design and Autonomy Programme

Mineral Resources Limited (ASX:MIN) uses custom-built road trains with payloads of more than 300 tonnes. The company identifies C509 prime movers among its haulage fleet and describes its transport design as a single-engine solution for bulk ore movements. This approach substitutes specialised road logistics for a dedicated heavy-haul railway.

The company has outlined plans to introduce autonomous road trains with specialist technology support. Its description identifies three components: sensors for understanding vehicle position and surroundings, an autonomy layer for decisions within defined limits, and vehicle control systems that carry out those instructions. The current company materials describe autonomy as planned conversion; they do not establish that every road train is operating without a driver.

Roadside thermal imaging is also used for early indications of possible wheel, brake or tyre problems. These systems complement mechanical inspections.

What FY26 Disclosures Show

In its July 2026 quarterly activity report, Mineral Resources Limited (ASX:MIN) reported Onslow Iron attributable shipments of 19.7M wmt for FY26, above the revised guidance range of 17.7–19.4M wmt. FY26 free-on-board operating costs were $52/wmt, below guidance of $54–59/wmt. These figures describe project shipment performance and costs, not the output of autonomous vehicles separately.

The company’s September 2026 operational review stated that Onslow Iron had sustained its 35Mtpa nameplate run rate across FY26, despite cyclone interruptions, with the rate reaching 38Mtpa in Q4. The distinction matters: a run rate is an operational pace, whereas shipped tonnes record the material actually dispatched during a specified period.

Operational Constraints and Monitoring

The long transport corridor creates exposure to road surface condition, high vehicle utilisation, tyre wear and seasonal weather. Mineral Resources Limited (ASX:MIN) disclosed in its March 2026 quarter that tropical cyclones affected shipments, although the haul road and other critical infrastructure were not damaged. The operation returned to nameplate capacity following those disruptions.

For the planned automation programme, operational controls also include testing, sensor reliability and vehicle responses to changing conditions. Company announcements on conversion progress can clarify the number of vehicles commissioned and how automated operations compare with conventional haulage. Port stockpile and transhipping availability must also remain aligned with mine dispatch.

Key Insights

The Onslow Iron logistics model combines a dedicated road corridor, high-capacity trucks and port infrastructure. Mineral Resources Limited (ASX:MIN) has reported FY26 shipment and cost outcomes, while describing autonomous road train conversion as a development programme. Distinguishing established haulage performance from planned automation is important when interpreting future operational updates.

FAQs

Q: What is Mineral Resources’ ASX ticker?

A:Mineral Resources Limited trades under ASX:MIN.

Q: How long is the Onslow Iron haul road?

A:The dedicated route extends approximately 150km.

Q: How much ore can one road train transport?

A:The company says its road trains can carry more than 300 tonnes.

Q: Were all Onslow trucks autonomous in FY26?

A:The reviewed company materials describe planned conversion, not completed fleet-wide autonomous deployment.

Q: What were FY26 attributable Onslow Iron shipments?

A:Mineral Resources reported 19.7M wmt.

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