Caterpillar and Luck Stone celebrate one million tons hauled autonomously at Bull Run Quarry

The achievement marks a first for Caterpillar in the aggregates industry and underscores the success of Caterpillar’s autonomous haulage system (AHS) in a quarry environment.

Highlights

  • Caterpillar and Luck Stone announce a significant milestone in their ongoing collaboration of one million tons autonomously hauled
  • The achievement marks a first for Caterpillar in the aggregates industry
  • Reaching the one million tons hauled autonomously milestone confirms that autonomous haulage can deliver consistent, repeatable performance
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Chantilly, Virginia, July 14, 2025 – Caterpillar, Inc. (NYSE:CAT) and Luck Stone, the nation’s largest family-owned and operated producer of crushed stone, sand and gravel, announced a significant milestone in their ongoing collaboration: one million tons autonomously hauled at Luck Stone’s Bull Run Quarry in Chantilly, Virginia.

The achievement marks a first for Caterpillar in the aggregates industry and underscores the success of Caterpillar’s autonomous haulage system (AHS) in a quarry environment. The milestone demonstrates the safety and productivity of autonomy beyond traditional large mining applications. 

 

This milestone is a powerful demonstration of what’s possible when we collaborate with our customers to deliver solutions for their critical needs. Reaching one million tons hauled autonomously at Bull Run shows that autonomy isn’t just for mining – it’s scalable, reliable, and ready to transform the aggregates industry. We’re proud to collaborate with Luck Stone to lead that transformation.

Denise Johnson

Group President

Resource Industries, Caterpillar

“This autonomous journey with Caterpillar has been one of the most powerful and transformative projects in our 100-year history. What once felt like a dream at our Bull Run site is now a reality – thanks to the trust, collaboration, and shared commitment between our teams.

“Reaching the one million tons hauled milestone has engaged every part of our operation, from training and mine planning to operating efficiency and teamwork, proving that this technology can work, and work well, in a quarry environment. Most importantly, it’s creating opportunities for our associates to grow, lead, and be part of something groundbreaking.

“At Luck Stone, our mission is to ignite human potential, and this project is an example of what’s possible when people, purpose, and progress come together. We’re grateful to Caterpillar and confident that operators across the country will have a similar experience,” commented Charlie Luck, president and CEO, Luck Companies. 

 

A strategic relationship built on innovation  

The collaboration between Caterpillar and Luck Stone began with a shared vision to transform quarry operations through cutting-edge technology. Bull Run Quarry became the first site in the aggregates industry to deploy Caterpillar’s autonomous Cat® 777 trucks, supported by a full autonomy technology stack and site integration services.  

Since the initial deployment, the collaboration has focused on validating autonomy along with the people and processes in conditions that are typical in quarry operations but distinct from mining. 

 

Why one million tons matters   

Reaching the one million tons hauled autonomously milestone confirms that autonomous haulage can deliver consistent, repeatable performance. It also signals how autonomous solutions will address skilled labor shortages, improve site safety, increase operational efficiency, and upskill quarry employees to run autonomy. 

 

Strategic alignment with customer back innovation   

This milestone aligns with Caterpillar’s enterprise strategy in several key areas:

  • Customer Back Solutions: Luck Stone’s operational insights helped shape the deployment and refinement of the AHS.
  • Productivity: Autonomous trucks have demonstrated improved cycle consistency and reduced idle time.
  • Safety: Removing operators from the cab reduces exposure to potential hazards and enhances site control.
  • Sustainability: Autonomy enables more efficient fuel use and supports emissions reduction goals. 

 

Looking ahead  

Caterpillar and Luck Stone continue to explore opportunities to expand autonomy across additional sites and applications. The success at Bull Run sets a precedent for the broader aggregates industry and reinforces the companies’ commitment to innovation and operational excellence.

More information on Cat MineStar™ Command for hauling can be found by contacting a Cat dealer or visiting cat.com

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Cat 777G at Bull Run

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About Caterpillar:
For 100 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world.
With 2024 sales and revenues of $64.8 billion, Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed. Caterpillar does business on every continent, principally operating through three primary segments – Construction Industries, Resource Industries and Energy & Transportation – and providing financing and related services through our Financial Products segment. Visit us at caterpillar.com or join the conversation on our social media channels at caterpillar.com/en/news/social-media.html.

About Luck Stone:
Luck Stone, a division of Luck Companies, is the nation’s largest family-owned and operated producer of crushed stone, sand and gravel.

Caterpillar rolls out products and services in each of its regions at different time intervals. Although every effort is made to ensure that product information is released only after Caterpillar has received confirmation from its independent dealer network, plants, and marketing subsidiaries that products and services are available in the relevant region, editors are kindly requested to verify with a Cat dealer for product availability and specifications.

CAT, CATERPILLAR, LET’S DO THE WORK, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Corporate Yellow,” the “Power Edge” and Cat “Modern Hex” trade dress, as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

VisionLink is a trademark of Caterpillar Inc., registered in the United States and in other countries.

 

Press Inquiries:

Kate Kenny
Caterpillar Trade Press Media Representative
Kenny_Kate@cat.com
For Release: Worldwide
Release Number: 170PR25 — July 2025

Cat Command for Hauling

Cat® MineStar™ Command for hauling takes advantage of the most sophisticated technologies available to deliver a next-generation haulage solution — one that boosts safety, productivity and availability on busy mine sites, especially those in difficult or remote locations. Command provides the fully integrated operation of autonomous mining systems, allowing them to haul more efficiently with near-continuous operation and move more with fewer people on site. Autonomous trucks operate safely around other equipment, light vehicles and personnel. Command trucks respond to calls to the shovel, move into position, haul to dump points and even report for maintenance — all without an operator on board.

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