COAL AND SOFT-ROCK MINING to remote operators, supporting more confident machine management across varying levels of operator experience,” he said.
At the same time, data analytics is playing an increasingly active role in longwall automation, with insights from operational data helping move analytics beyond reporting. This can inform cutting adjustments and work towards control responses in real time to support more responsive, data-driven machine performance.
Outside of coal, Komatsu is seeing strong adoption of automation and digitalisation technologies in particularly salt and potash operations, according to Karl Steinbach, Product Manager, Control & Automation.“ These room and pillar mines have been early adopters of technologies such as continuous miner automation( CMA), machine guidance( Straight Cut), integrated haulage systems( FCT Follow Me Mode) and real-time operational monitoring( Smart Solutions),” he told IM.“ Our focus is on helping customers improve safety, consistency and productivity by reducing variability in the mining process and providing better operational visibility through connected digital systems.”
Operators of these mines are looking for solutions that help address workforce challenges, improve production consistency and maximise automation use for repetitive tasks, according to Steinbach.“ Increasingly, customers are not only interested in automating individual machines but also in connecting equipment, production data and operating systems to create more intelligent and efficient mining operations,” he added.
Sandvik looking at cutting concept catalysts
Amid a revamping of the Zeltweg Final Assembly facility and offices, the Sandvik Mining mechanical cutting division continues to showcase several new technology developments across its offering for coal and soft-rock markets.
This offering spans roadheaders, bolter miners, borer miners, haulage systems and rubber tyred vehicles, with an active fleet of more than 430 pieces of equipment; while its services, logistics and parts footprint includes 10 different locations across Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe and North America.
Both the offering and services will be strengthened further in late 2026, when the HQ in Austria – which acts as a global competence centre – completes an office and factory move to enhance efficient working practices, acting as a fitting way to mark 175 years since operations began at the site.
Speaking to IM in late-June, Uwe Restner, Vice President – Product Line Management
Underground Continuous Mining, said demand for the company’ s products remained at a strong level.
“ We’ re not overloading the workshop, but there is still plenty of orders to keep us going,” he said.
When IM visited Zeltweg in November, the assembly line was weighted towards the bolter miner range. While these units continued to prove popular, Restner highlighted other machines of note when speaking to him some seven months later.
“ The MC431 continuous miner we dispatched earlier this year is now in Australia at our Heatherbrae facility in Newcastle being showcased by our Australian colleagues,” he said.“ They are inviting individual customers to take a detailed look at this machine.”
Building on the legacy of the MC430 continuous miner and its 13 years of operational performance in South Africa, the MC431 delivers the same high level of reliability, performance and lowest total cost of ownership that customers trust, Sandvik says. A double-pass miner for place change mining operations, it offers hydraulic traction and 400 kW of cutting power with shear up capability that ensures it achieves exceptional advance rates, the company claims. It has a maximum cutting height of 4,000 mm and a cutting width of 3,800 mm.
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