Komatsu explores hydrogen haulage with HD785 truck POC
WORLD PROSPECTS
Komatsu explores hydrogen haulage with HD785 truck POC
Komatsu Ltd has equippedone of its flagship large dump trucks , the 92-t payload HD785 , with a hydrogen combustion engine as part of its ongoing concept machine development plans . The company has commenced proof-of-concept tests at its Ibaraki Plant ( Hitachinaka City , Ibaraki Prefecture ), marking , it says , the world ’ s first attempt to equip a large dump truck with a hydrogen combustion engine .
Through these tests , Komatsu aims to accumulate knowledge on hydrogen engine utilisation , laying the foundation for future development of “ hydrogen-powered construction and mining equipment .”
Komatsu has been advancing the development and use of new power sources to achieve carbon neutrality . While developing hydrogen engines as one of the options , Komatsu has focused on the technological expertise of KEYOU GmbH ( hereinafter referred to as KEYOU ), a German start-up , which specialises in the development and implementation of hydrogen engines for large trucks .
The concept machine is equipped with a hydrogen combustion engine and hydrogen tank system , which are co-developed by Komatsu and
KEYOU . The hydrogen tank is mounted on a platform beside the operator ’ s cab to maximise hydrogen storage capacity . Additionally , to ensure clear visibility for the operator , cameras and monitors have been installed both inside and outside the cab . The proof-of-concept tests will focus on evaluating driving performance , continuous operating hours , fuel efficiency and verifying safety measures related to highpressure hydrogen gas usage .
Komatsu said : “ Compared with batteries and hydrogen fuel cells , the use of hydrogen combustion engines in construction and mining equipment has the advantage of a relatively lower cost , because the powertrain components of existing diesel-powered machines can be used without replacement . Furthermore , with virtually zero CO 2 emissions , some mining customers have expressed interest in adopting hydrogen engines as one of the options to achieve carbon neutrality at their sites . While there are challenges such as safety management and infrastructure for hydrogen supply , Komatsu will work to address these issues in collaboration with industry associations and other related stakeholders .”
Under its mid-term management plan , Komatsu has set the goal of reducing CO 2 emissions by 50 % from its products in use and in its production operations , each by 2030 ( compared with 2010 levels ), with the challenging target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 . To date , the company has introduced hydraulic excavators , tethered electric hydraulic excavators , and small and medium-sized batterypowered hydraulic excavators to the market . In addition , Komatsu is working on various environmentally responsive technologies from all aspects , including the use of carbon-neutral fuels , the development of power supply systems for battery-equipped construction equipment , proof-of-concept tests for hydrogen fuel cellpowered excavator , and the development of a power agnostic truck . https :// www . komatsu . com
Element Six & Master Drilling partner on advanced tunnel development tech
Element Six ( E6 ), a pioneer in the development and manufacturing of polycrystalline diamond ( PCD ) and ultrahard materials , and Master Drilling , a global leader in drilling and mechanised rock excavation technology solutions , have announced a new global partnership .
The collaboration combines Element Six ’ s leading patented polycrystalline diamond cutting technology with Master Drilling ’ s fully mechanised services for the mining , infrastructure , and energy sectors to deliver a new synthetic diamond-enabled tunnelling solution , with a reduction of more than 17 % in waste rock generation compared to traditional tunnelling operations .
The innovative technology has been tested under both underground and surface conditions in the UK and South Africa with several endusers in the mining and infrastructure industries , demonstrating general higher performance compared to traditional rock excavation methods .
“ Achieving high quality , nonexplosive tunnel construction with various aspects of value generated compared to traditional rock excavation methods is a key global challenge for tunnel builders – a challenge that Master Drilling and Element Six are uniquely positioned to address ,” said Koos Jordaan , Executive Director of Master Drilling .
“ By combining our technologies and expertise , we can offer quality tunnel development with competitive productivity , lower costs and reduced waste , enabling safer , faster , and more economical tunnel construction . This innovation holds great potential for expanding underground operations in industries such as mining , energy , transportation , and infrastructure .”
Underground tunnels provide access to critical mineral resources , create efficient transportation routes , and house essential utilities , all while minimising surface disruption . In mining , tunnels are key for accessing mineral resources and providing transportation and ventilation networks for underground operations . In transportation , they shorten routes through difficult terrain or urban areas . In construction , tunnels house utilities underground , and in energy , they support hydroelectric plants and pipelines .
Despite its importance , building tunnels poses technical and environmental challenges such as geological unpredictability , water ingress , high costs , waste generation , and safety concerns . The Element Six and Master Drilling partnership introduces a groundbreaking
diamond-enabled solution designed to tackle these challenges and significantly increase tunneling development speed , reducing costs , and minimising the environmental impact of tunnel construction .
“ This strategic partnership with Master Drilling is another example of the role Element Six plays in De Beers Group ’ s Origins strategy ,” said Siobhán Duffy , CEO of Element Six . “ Synthetic diamond innovation holds immense potential to shape the future of industrial applications . By extracting a lower amount of rock during tunnel development , the solution we developed in partnership with Master Drilling will significantly reduce waste and environmental impact , ensuring a better tomorrow for generations to come .” https :// www . e6 . com /; https :// masterdrilling . com
8 International Mining | MARCH 2025