Komatsu Ltd , through its subsidiary , Komatsu Cummins Chile Ltda , has agreed with Codelco , the major state-owned copper mining company in Chile , to collaborate on trialling a new tunnel excavation method using Komatsu ’ s newly developed Mining Tunnel
Boring Machine ( TBM ) starting in 2024 at
Codelco ’ s Chuquicamata Underground mine in
Chile . Through trial use of the new machine ,
Komatsu and Codelco aim to speed up the potential introduction of this innovative technology .
Demand for underground mining equipment is expected to increase along with global demand for mineral resources that require increasingly deeper mining operations . Komatsu developed the first TBM for rock excavation in 1963 for use in civil engineering in Japan . Since that time , the company has introduced a cumulative total of more than 2,300 TBMs ( including its Micro
Tunneling Machine ) to the market .
Based on Komatsu ’ s experience in excavation , the Mining TBM is equipped with new technologies that enable adaptability to small curves , reversing , and passing intersections in hard rock tunnel excavation . Previously , use of
TBM has generally been limited to excavating nearly straight tunnels . This new technology improves the flexibility of the equipment and
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enables excavation of tunnels according to the more unique designs of each mine .
The Mining TBM works by continuously performing a series of processes , such as excavating rock with disc cutters and discharging the chipped rock backwards with belt conveyors , while fortifying the excavated tunnel wall .
Excavation with disc cutters improves tunnel strength and stability by creating a circular tunnel shape with smooth walls with less damage to the excavated tunnel ( compared to the drilling and blasting method ).
To support customers ’ needs for increasingly sustainable ways of mining , the new machine runs off electricity , does not require the use of blasting and performs a series of tunnel excavation processes with a single machine , reducing the number of vehicles required overall .
The result is a new excavation option that reduces the creation of greenhouse gases and particulate matter emissions for an improved underground environment that requires less
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ventilation than other methods . At the same time , it significantly increases the productivity of personnel associated with tunnel excavation work compared to conventional methods .
In response to climate change and the need for solutions for environmental issues , Komatsu has been focusing on the development of equipment for the future of underground hard rock mining under the slogan of “ No Blasting ”, “ No Batch ”,
“ No Diesel .” The Mining TBM and the new method embody this forward-looking approach and seek to help customers improve safety , environmental friendliness , and productivity
( shorter tunnel construction period and lower tunnel construction costs ) at underground mines , and will also help them achieve a revolution in their mining operations .
Per the company ’ s ongoing mid-term management plan “ DANTOTSU Value – Together , to ‘ The Next ’ for sustainable growth ”, Komatsu is working to expand offerings for underground hard rock mining , creating new value for customers with the development of new equipment , processes and technologies that will help operations step forward to the next stage for the workplace of the future and provide a more sustainable future for the next generation . www . codelco . com ; www . komatsu . com
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