WORLD PROSPECTS
that includes some of the largest and most advanced mining haul trucks operating on mine sites today. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to safety, efficiency and long-term sustainability in mining operations.“ These trucks will be assembled at our facility in Peoria, Illinois, and we’ re honoured to have them support Mesabi Metallics’ next chapter of growth on the Iron Range.”
Michael Sill II, CEO of Road Machinery & Supplies Co, said:“ As the first new mine in 50 years in northern Minnesota, Mesabi Metallics is incorporating exciting new technologies into its equipment operations. This is a historic project for northern Minnesota, and our nation’ s steel industry, and we are honoured to be part of it.”
Mesabi Metallics expects the new mining equipment to arrive in October. The Mesabi Metallics project is on track for completion in the March quarter of 2026, and deliveries of the equipment will continue throughout 2026 as the project becomes fully operational at full capacity. www. komatsu. com; www. mesabimetallics. com
Bradken increases undercarriage offering
Bradken has added to its range of undercarriage solutions for excavators with the development of crawler shoes for the Komatsu PC7000 range.
The company has long been a designer and manufacturer of aftermarket crawler shoes for PC5500 and PC8000 ultra-class range of machines, with over 8,200 shoes delivered in the past decade, equating to 88 machine fitments.
This knowledge and expertise in the Komatsu PC range of excavators has now been used to develop undercarriage solutions for the PC7000 range.
The company said:“ Our proven track record over four decades in design and manufacturing undercarriage components for these machines has been demonstrated through the delivery of improved wear results of our crawler shoes, with 35 % longer wear life for Bradken shoes measured in comparison to competitors’ shoe wear life.”
Bradken’ s crawler shoes for Komatsu HEX undercarriages feature Bradken’ s patented‘ Pillar of Strength’ and other design enhancements providing superior strength and support to critical areas, it says.
Its crawler shoes deliver consistent and dependable performance, especially in the worn condition and under extreme applications, giving customers the confidence to schedule condition-based maintenance while minimising the risk of unplanned downtime events, Bradken claims.
Bradken says its crawler shoes for Komatsu HEX undercarriages were deliberately designed with Bradken’ s proprietary through hardened material. Used on these machines, the allowable wear envelope allows Bradken’ s through hardened shoes to deliver increased service life and reduced safety risks associated with deformation, spalling and cracking.
Bradken says its undercarriage components are fully interchangeable with OEM components and compatible with OEM installation requirements.
It concluded:“ Customer focus, rigorous design, expert metallurgy, materials engineering and state-of-the-art manufacturing processes are combined by Bradken to deliver to our customers undercarriage products that consistently outperform the OEM and other aftermarket competitors.”
Bradken says it has sold more than 250,000 crawler shoes over the past four decades and has over 540 installations globally. https:// bradken. com
BHP looks to battery tech pioneers CATL & BYD for electrification help
BHP has signed Memorandum of Understandings with two Chinese battery technology pioneers, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Limited( CATL), and FinDreams Battery Co Ltd( FDB), a fully-owned subsidiary of BYD, focused on identifying pathways for electrification at its mining operations.
First off, BHP and CATL will explore opportunities in battery development for mining equipment and locomotives, including rapid charging infrastructure, as well as seeking to understand energy storage systems and battery recycling options for BHP mining applications.
CATL is developing cutting-edge battery technologies and energy solutions that support the energy transition and e-mobility, BHP says. Its innovation presents the potential for exciting opportunities to accelerate the mining industry’ s decarbonisation transition.
Through this MoU, BHP intends to work with CATL to identify pathways for electrification at its mining operations. The collaboration will also focus on opportunities to advance the circular economy by enhancing battery recycling processes, especially leveraging BHP’ s copper operations to establish more sustainable value chains within the mining sector.
BYD Group, meanwhile, is one of the world’ s leading battery manufacturers that, among other things, manufactures and sells battery systems used for commercial vehicles, power batteries and energy storage batteries. Recognising the need for innovative solutions to tackle Scopes 1 and 2 emissions, BHP is working closely with BYD-owned FDB to explore the application of existing and emerging technologies across its operations.
BHP and FDB will jointly investigate powertrain battery solutions for heavy mining equipment and locomotives with FDB’ s adjacent flash-charging infrastructure, as well as explore BYD commercial vehicles and light vehicles for use in BHP’ s mining applications to support its diesel displacement journey. BYD, a global leader in battery cell development and a rapidly growing name in electric light vehicle production, brings unparalleled experience in electric vehicle solutions and electric buses, BHP says. By engaging with the company, BHP aims to assess the relevance and development of these technologies for mining applications, while also exploring applications for BYD’ s broader portfolio in energy storage and battery recycling.
Similarly to the CATL MoU, this strategic collaboration aims to identify pathways to further enable the decarbonisation of BHP’ s mining operations and support a decarbonised future for the resources industry. www. bhp. com; www. catl. com / en; www. fdbatt. com / en
6 International Mining | AUGUST 2025