Tag Archives: Komatsu

Pronto and Komatsu to demo autonomous haulage tech at Heidelberg’s Lake Bridgeport quarry

Automation, Mine operation news, Mining services, , , , ,

Pronto’s Autonomous Haulage System (AHS) is set to be deployed at Heidelberg Materials North America’s Lake Bridgeport quarry in Texas, USA, following a successful pilot of the technology with Heidelberg in 2023.

The pilot in question was conducted in partnership with Komatsu North America, with the next phase also set to be on a Komatsu platform to include the integration of Komatsu Smart Quarry technologies. The latter technologies will enable enhanced data collection and analysis, as well as improved safety and productivity, according to Pronto.

A Silicon Valley-based autonomy pioneer, Pronto has designed its AHS to be the simplest, fastest to deploy, easiest to use, and most cost-effective solution in the market. It has been deployed in multiple sites across the world. It leverages advanced sensors, cameras and artificial intelligence to autonomously operate haul trucks in complex and dynamic environments.

Last year, Pronto announced a partnership with RAICO SA, a leading mining and forestry equipment sales and rental services provider in Chile, to scale mining and forestry autonomy in the country, while the company has also worked extensively with Bell on integrating the technology into its trucks.

Pronto said: “Pronto’s AHS is the industry’s most cost-effective solution to addressing the challenge of recruiting skilled operatives, while also increasing the utilisation of haul truck assets.”

Komatsu to bolster sales, service capacity in key Arizona market

Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, Mining services, , ,

Stemming from its deep commitment to the area, Komatsu has announced a significant greenfield expansion in Mesa, Arizona.

The expansion is focused on advancing sales and service capacity and will roughly triple the square footage dedicated to serving existing and new customers in the area, according to Komatsu.

“We conducted an extensive search to best meet our growth needs and are proud that we will continue calling Mesa home,” Danny Murtagh, Vice President of Parts Distribution at Komatsu, said. “Between our highly skilled workforce, existing partnerships in the area, and the projected economic outlook in the region, it is exciting to announce this expansion.”

The new facility, scheduled for completion in the spring of 2026, will be approximately 225,000 sq.ft (20,903 sq.m), a significant increase from the current 75,000 sq.ft facility. The site of the new facility is conveniently located close to the airport in southeast Mesa, Komatsu says.

The expansion will promote the creation of both short-term construction jobs and long-term jobs with Komatsu. In the first few years of operation, up to 100 additional jobs are estimated to be created as a result of the expansion.

Komatsu added: “The expanded sales and service facility represents a multi-million dollar strategic investment and underscores Komatsu’s commitment to the local economy and a positive outlook for economic growth in the region.”

BHP, Rio Tinto, Caterpillar and Komatsu agree on Pilbara battery truck testing plan

Automation, Environmental, Mining equipment, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , ,

Days after the conclusion of The Electric Mine 2024 conference in Perth, Western Australia, BHP and Rio Tinto have confirmed they are to collaborate on battery-electric haul truck trials in the Pilbara.

The collaboration reflects the individual commitments made by BHP, Rio Tinto, Caterpillar and Komatsu to support BHP’s and Rio Tinto’s shared ambition of net zero operational greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, they say.

As part of the collaboration, two CAT 793 haul trucks will be trialled from the second half of 2024, and two Komatsu 930 haul trucks tested from 2026 at mine sites in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.

Caterpillar and Komatsu will each provide one truck to both BHP and Rio Tinto for these trials. BHP will trial the Caterpillar trucks, while Rio Tinto will trial the Komatsu trucks. Outcomes of the trials will be shared between BHP and Rio Tinto.

These trials represent the first stage of battery-electric haul truck testing at BHP’s and Rio Tinto’s Pilbara operations.

Ongoing testing, development and refinement of truck and battery design is anticipated with each manufacturer. This will inform the approach for testing a larger number of haul trucks and the potential deployment of battery-electric haul truck fleets into each company’s operations.

BHP President Australia, Geraldine Slattery, said: “Operational decarbonisation relies on breakthroughs in technology and partnerships like this will help drive our industry forward. We are thrilled to work with Rio Tinto, Caterpillar and Komatsu on these trials.

“Replacing diesel as a fuel source requires us to develop a whole new operational ecosystem to surround the fleet. We need to address the way we plan our mines, operate our haulage networks and consider the additional safety and operational considerations that these changes will bring. This is why trials are so critical to our success as we test and learn how these new technologies could work and integrate into our mines.

“We’ve already seen a step-change reduction in Scope 1 and 2 operational greenhouse gas emissions through switching some of our supply to renewable electricity, and we are looking to build on that progress through development of battery-electric technology to reduce diesel usage across our operations.”

Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive, Simon Trott, said: “This collaboration brings together two leading global miners with two of the world’s biggest manufacturers of haul trucks to work on solving the critical challenge of zero-emissions haulage.

“There is no clear path to net zero without zero-emissions haulage, so it’s important that we work together to get there as quickly and efficiently as we can. Testing two types of battery-electric haul trucks in Pilbara conditions will provide better data, and by combining our efforts with BHP we will accelerate learning.

“As we work to repower our Pilbara operations with renewable energy, collaborations like this move us closer to solving the shared challenge of decarbonising our operations and meeting our net zero commitments.”

British Gypsum set to expand Komatsu Joy lithium-ion battery fleet at Barrow mine

Mine operation news, Mining equipment, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , ,

British Gypsum’s Barrow-upon-Soar gypsum mine in the UK, part of Saint-Gobain, is looking to expand its use of Joy battery haulers following the initial deployment of two lithium-ion haulers from Komatsu, IM heard during a technical session at the SME MineXchange Conference and Expo, in Phoenix, Arizona, recently.

“The operation has been running two of these 18 short ton (16.4 t) payload battery haulers, BH18ACs, for just over nine months, with the units replacing 16 short ton diesel DBT ‘Ram Car’ vehicles,” Jerry Davis, Principal Engineer at Komatsu, said during his presentation ‘Case Study on the benefits of implementing the lithium-ion battery powered haulage in underground mining’.

“Komatsu has manufactured 820 battery haulers to date (the majority being with lead-acid batteries), with 15 of these lithium-ion battery versions,” Davis said. “This is set to expand to 29 lithium-ion battery units in the near term.”

Two of these lithium-ion haulers are now at the Barrow-upon-Soar mine. These are capable of mining seams of 1.45 m and represent some of the first lithium-ion battery models of their kind to have been delivered in the UK. British Gypsum said previously that it would replace a third diesel hauler with a battery-powered unit this year.

The BH18AC is the first lithium-ion battery hauler in soft-rock mining in Europe and, Komatsu Mining says, is designed to boost productivity with 75% faster charge time, and much lower maintenance versus traditional lead acid technology. “Brushless AC-traction motors drive each front wheel independently and are designed to deliver maximum torque,” the company says. “Your operators enjoy excellent steering, smooth operation and strong performance on steep inclines. Regenerative braking enhances control on descents. When conditions require extra traction, operators can hold down a button on the joystick to engage the trailer wheels for all-wheel-drive.”

The Joy lithium-ion battery charging option is capable of approximately two hours from discharged to full charge with no cool down period needed. At the Barrow-upon-Soar mine, it is currently using the haulers with a battery swapping mechanism.

At the Barrow-upon-Soar mine, British Gypsum is currently using the haulers with a battery swapping mechanism

The two new haulers have been tested on surface and underground in the room and pillar gypsum operation. They have been in commercial operation since mid-2023.

Davis said the operation was still awaiting feedback on operating cost and productivity comparisons, but the two vehicles had already achieved vehicle availability of approximately 100% (compared with the diesel-equivalent circa-70%). The Joy battery haulers had also averaged a 6-m advancement in 12 loads, compared with the diesel-equivalent’s 16 loads.

“In addition to the third unit, the mine operator is also considering replacing its existing cable-tethered loaders with battery haulers”, Davis added.

For Komatsu, meanwhile, the company is looking to continue product specific development within its Komatsu Mine Analysis Platform to aid asset management, productivity improvement solutions, operational support, application engineering, product development and warning systems.

GHH extends dealer network with Türkiye-based Marubeni Dağıtım ve Servis pact

Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , , , , , ,

GHH, the German manufacturer of machines for mining and tunnelling industries, has agreed a partnership with the Japanese machine and truck distributor Marubeni Dağıtım ve Servis, in Türkiye, opening up growth opportunities for both companies far beyond the country’s borders.

As one of the major distributors of heavy machinery in Türkiye, Marubeni Dağıtım ve Servis has already established a network of six locations with 270 employees and 50 sales and service centres, reaching as far as Azerbaijan and Georgia. Founded in 1983 and based in Istanbul, the company is part of the Marubeni Corporation of Japan, one of the world’s largest distributors of its kind with 45,000 employees in 463 companies.

This constellation of skills, experience and footprint is highly interesting for GHH, it said. As one of the world’s leading brands in the industry, the company already serves a significant amount of customers in Türkiye. However, the need for a stronger network for consulting, sales and service was identified as a key milestone to support the expansion of its product portfolio in the region.

LHDs, dump trucks and other vehicles, specifically designed for mining in soft and hard rock, are the domain of GHH, which aims to combine cost-effectiveness with robustness, ease of maintenance and driver ergonomics.

GHH, which is preparing to become part of the Komatsu family as part of a December 2022 agreement, is also strengthening its dealer network with this partnership. Marubeni Dağıtım ve Servis is already a strong Komatsu dealer in the Turkish region, having worked with Komatsu in the Turkish market since 1983.

“GHH is very pleased to have reached an agreement with Marubeni Dağıtım ve Servis in Türkiye; we are really looking forward to strengthening our position in the Turkish market together,” Matthias von Buzay (pictured on the left), CEO & CFO of GHH Group, said. “Marubeni Dağıtım ve Servis has extensive experience in product sales and service and is therefore an ideal partner for us.”

Eşref Zeka, Chief Executive Officer of Marubeni Dağıtım ve Servis A.S. (pictured on the right), and Burçak Birand, Marubeni Dağıtım ve Servis Construction and Mining Machinery COO, agreed: “We are excited about the cooperation with GHH as it is a next step in our strategy to grow and strengthen our business in Türkiye and we look forward to a strong and fruitful partnership.”

The two companies sealed their partnership in February when Zeka and Birand travelled to GHH’s headquarters in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, and spent time reviewing the offering and way of working, and strategising on business opportunities going forward.

The first deliveries are due to follow shortly. These might include vehicles such as the new LF-10 NEO, a 10-t loader with the highest tipping height in its class, or the MK-A20 dump truck.

Komatsu brings WX11 to the 10-t-class underground loader market

Mining equipment, , , , ,

Komatsu has introduced to the global market the new WX11 LHD, an 11-tonne loader that, it says, offers best-in-class breakout force and best-in-class payload helping to maximise productivity and provide a lower total cost of ownership.

The WX11 showcases Komatsu’s commitment to providing underground hard-rock miners with an exceptional load, haul and dump solution, integrating next-generation data management capabilities, operator ergonomics, intuitive controls and compliance with EU Stage V emission requirements, the company says. As a new model within the Komatsu hard-rock family of products, the WX11 is designed to be a class-leading LHD for all underground mine operators and contractors, offerering an 8-10% payload boost above other machines in its class.

“With ease of operability, superior performance and ground-level maintenance position, the WX11 has several competitive edges in the 10-t LHD class,” it said.

It comes with rated horsepower of 209 kW at 2,000 rpm, an operating weight of 35,250 kg, several available engine certifications, adjustable ride control and on-board telemetry. Additionally, it is fitted with new heavy-duty, hard-rock Komatsu axles with SAHR brakes, Komatsu cylinders and accumulators, swing-out radiator fan assemblies to support quick washdowns, optimised kinematics for superior breakout and tilt force, and all-new engineered structures to support the additional 10% payload capacity.

Ryan Karns, Director of LHD and Truck Products at Komatsu, said: “The WX11 is a game changer for hard-rock miners. Developed through a close partnership between our experienced team and our long-time customers, this product reflects a shared commitment to design excellence. The WX11 is the LHD every miner will want to have in their operation.”

OceanaGold’s Haile mine boosts productivity with Immersive simulator

Automation, Mine operation news, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , , , , , , , ,

OceanaGold’s Haile gold mine in the US is investing in its employee and community development with an Immersive Technologies operator training solution that, Immersive says, supports the company’s strategy to maximise mining potential and continuously ensure safe, eco-friendly practices.

By modernising the technologies and tools available for training, the mine is expecting multiple stakeholder groups to benefit. The simulator includes Conversion Kits® (interchangeable cab modules) for Sandvik TH663 underground trucks and Sandvik LH517i loaders for underground operation. It also supports conversion kits for Komatsu PC4000-6 loaders and 730E haul trucks for the surface mine.

Simulator training allows operators to be trained and assessed without the need to borrow machines from production, Immersive says. This allows trainees to practice many skills, including safe machine operation before being placed into a live mining environment.

“Because operators are consistently shown and assessed on the proper operating techniques, they have a better understanding and knowledge of the real machine, they also burn no fuel during the training process learn to operate their machinery with behaviours that maximise fuel efficiency,” the company says. “This type of training can also extend the life of the mining equipment, resulting in less consumption of parts and in higher machine availability.”

David Londoño, Chief Operating Officer at Oceanagold Corporation, said: “The addition of the training simulator aligns with our commitment to providing Haile Gold Mine operators with the best tools and resources. It offers a new dimension to our training approach by allowing us to create real-world conditions while empowering our operators to enhance their skills and make informed decisions in a controlled environment.”

The mine is already seeing benefits from the training solution. Spot times under the shovel have improved 10.08% resulting in greater haulage productivity and the damage from brake system misuse has dropped by 65% resulting in less machine down time, according to Immersive.

Adam Norris, Regional Vice President – North America at Immersive Technologies, said: “The commitment from Haile Gold Mine to invest in their people is now continuing into their underground expansion project. We look forward to supporting them to achieve sustainable results for years to come.”

Komatsu offers up another haul road maintenance tool with GD955-7 motor grader

Mining equipment, Mining maintenance, , , , ,

Komatsu has introduced the new GD955-7 motor grader to the North American market, saying the machine offers operators the control and precision needed to build and maintain haul roads for truck fleets of 100 tons (91 t) and up.

This powerful new machine stands out with its 426 horsepower at 1,900 rpm (313 kW at 1,900 rpm) and powerful blade downforce pressure for efficient grading performance, the OEM says. It comes with an operating weight of 47,320 kg and a standard 5.5-m moldboard (6.1-m moldboard is optional).

“With faster working travel speeds compared to the previous model, Komatsu engineered the GD955-7 to increase grading efficiency while helping reduce maintenance requirements and total cost of ownership,” it said.

Despite its large size, the GD955-7 offers excellent manoeuvrability, executing tight U-turns on a standard 91-t class haul road without the need to fully cut the wheel or course correct, the company says. The long wheelbase and large, 27° articulation angle allow a tight turning radius and provide manoeuvrability for narrow haul road applications in confined spaces and around obstacles.

The newly adopted, long-life circle bearing allows for smooth and precise rotation of the moldboard while eliminating the need for circle play adjustments or replacing wear plates, Komatsu added. Coupled with a standard auto-lubrication system, the GD955-7 is engineered to help reduce planned and unplanned maintenance downtime while helping to extend life to overhaul.

“With significant increases in operating weight, blade downforce pressure and working travel speeds, this new size class motor grader will be a smart choice for increased efficiency on our customer’s mine sites,” Joseph Sollitt, Director of Mining Support Equipment at Komatsu Ltd, said.

SMS Equipment brings Komatsu PC8000-11 mining shovel to Hudbay Copper Mountain mine

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A new Komatsu PC8000-11 surface mining excavator has arrived at Hudbay Minerals’ Copper Mountain mine in Princeton, British Columbia, Canada, as part of the company’s plans to reduce emissions and up productivity at the operation.

Officials from SMS Equipment, Komatsu Germany and Hudbay Minerals Inc gathered at the mine recently to celebrate the arrival of the machine, which, at 9.7-m tall, 10-m-wide and weighing nearly 800 t, is the largest surface mining excavator on the market, according to Komatsu. The PC8000-11 operates solely on electricity, contributing to the operation’s emissions-reduction strategy.

“Embracing a sustainable future through electrification is an important step in our collective journey to decarbonisation,” Dennis Chmielewski, Executive Vice President, Mining at SMS Equipment, says. “We are a proud equipment, service and technology solutions partner to Hudbay and a long-time supporter of the Copper Mountain mine trolley-assist project. The addition of a large-capacity excavator to the mine’s electric infrastructure marks exciting progress on its path to net-zero.”

The Copper Mountain mine is one of the only open-pit mines in North America to operate an electric trolley-assist haulage system. The 1-km haul ramp and seven pantograph-equipped electric haul trucks that comprise the project were commissioned in the spring of 2022, in partnership with SMS Equipment, Komatsu, ABB, Clean BC and B.C. Hydro. The latest PC8000 joins two other electric excavators operating at the site that complement the mine’s overall electric fleet.

Walt Halipchuk, Director of Sustainability and Assets, Hudbay, said: “Electric equipment and infrastructure significantly reduce our reliance on diesel, the largest source of GHG emissions at the mine. With the help of this technology, we are on track to reduce our emissions in 2024 by 6,000 t of CO2e.

“The journey to net-zero is not one we can navigate alone. With the help of value-added partners like SMS Equipment and Komatsu, we can explore our challenges and find sustainable solutions without sacrificing productivity, efficiency or profitability.”

The Komatsu shovel was made in Germany and assembled at Copper Mountain mine earlier this year. Komatsu officials, including the President and Managing Director of Komatsu Germany GmbH, were on-site for a handover ceremony and reception for Hudbay employees and SMS Equipment representatives.

Komatsu, Becker-Warkop, Hydrotech longwall PRSs go to work at Alabama coal mine

Coal technology, Mine operation news, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , , , , ,

Under a cooperative agreement between Komatsu, Becker-Warkop and Hydrotech, 385 new longwall powered roof supports have been delivered to a US longwall coal producer in Alabama. The first face began operation in July and the second face is undergoing installation.

While Komatsu has provided powered roof supports to this producer in the past, this is the first solution supplied in collaboration with Becker-Warkop and Hydrotech.

The new Joy-designed supports also include Joy’s Faceboss RS20s roof support controls. The longwalls enter operation at mines which have seam heights of 45 in (1.14 m) and 53 in (1.35 m), respectively, and the 1,700-mm (67-in) wide supports feature a maximum operating height of 2.95 m and have 380 mm bore legs.

Other longwall equipment at this mine was supplied by Komatsu including three Joy 7LS1D shearers and three armoured face conveyors, including the first US-sourced Joy panline.