NA RROW VEIN AND
LOW PROFILE MINING
The combined Komatsu offering now boasts five low-profile underground hard-rock products including the pictured WX06LP
ground level. Additional features like brake wear sensors, engine monitoring, data logging systems and machine condition monitoring support improved preventative maintenance practices on-site and help to reduce overall total cost of ownership.
Komatsu also has a well-established narrowvein portfolio with the WX03, WX04, WX07 loaders and HX07, HX16 and HX20 trucks, actively running in mines around the world.
It made strides in the narrow-vein space with the recent addition of the WX04B 4-tonne battery-electric loader, debuted at MINExpo 2025 in Las Vegas, and continues to pursue the
developm
ment of larger equipment to accompany the WX04B, which not only reduces ventilation requirements but also allows for improved operator comfort, performance and productivity.
With a proven platform and common parts with the diesel WX04, this makes the electrifica ation transition for any customer far easier and cost effective, while stiving to“ go green”, Komatsu says. The energy-dense 165 kW / h battery on-board provides up to over four hours of run time per charge and only two hours re-charge time, complemented by the on-board BTMS( battery thermal management system). There is also the added benefit of a quick battery swap underground in a working end( Ground Level Battery Swap( GLBC)). This rapid“ re-fuel” – switching out batteries in minutes – allows for increased utilisation. It also reduces reliance and impact of administrative controls for battery charging and has less impact on the mine infrastructure. This means the re-charge requires less power over a longer period of time, and the charging stations can be as close as practical to the working site in order to maximise charging time.
The WX04B has increased battery life span as battery life is based on total kW exchanged, Komatsu explains. The energy storage system( ESS) can be serviced withoutt rendering the machine down, which allows mines with a battery-electric vehicle fleet the ability to plan for additional ESS to support maintenance / un- planned downtime.
The WX04B is also available with an enclosed climate-controlled cabin for optimised operator comfort, along with additional ergonomic benefits that come with an electric drivetrain, the company added. IM