Cummins is well known in mining as a provider of the latest diesel engine technology, centred on its Daventry, UK site that supplies the key models used in mining haul trucks and excavators including the QSK45, QSK60 and QSK78, all of which are now supplied to meet Tier 4 Final/Stage V emissions regulations. Daventry alone has shipped over 30,000 mining engines since it began operations in 1973. But the factory has not stood still and has continually increased its efficiency, while Cummins Inc continues to invest in the site.
As Cummins mining engines have evolved, the addition of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) has ensured the new models have been able to reach their highest potential performance and fuel efficiency and the latest Tier 4 Final and Stage V engines have already been proven to deliver maximum TCO, availability and uptime for mining users. Cummins at the same time has made major consistent major investments in its global mining engine service network which includes no less than 24 rebuild centres. Its PrevenTech® Mining solution is a good example of the power of advancced analytics to minimise unplanned downtime.
Looking at the bigger picture, Cummins sees profitability and sustainability in mining as very much aligned – and it is playing an important role in helping its customers achieve sustainability goals as they achieve a true social license to operate in the communities where their sites are based. But at the same time the investment community is still expecting a return. So the two goals must go hand in hand to ensure mining’s future.
Last but not least, Cummins for the past 20 years has been deliberating evolving from a diesel engine company to a technology company. Cummins is very relevant to the powertrain challenges that mining is facing up to today including GHG reduction and is working closely with partner mining companies and OEMs to make sure it is still relevant in 2050 and beyond as an energy to work company. Cummins is transforming itself to offer New Power solutions through acquisitions and R&D, embracing everything from solar to hydrogen fuel cells and electric including high energy/high power batteries. The company is ensuring it will be on the leading edge when it comes time to bring these technologies to the mining market.
