MECHANISED COAL & SOFT ROCK
was first developed for the US market back in 2006.
As a result of this re-entry, Eickhoff is establishing a lifecycle facility close to the mining areas in the US.“ This facility will be established with the same world-class specification of exceptional quality and design which Eickhoff globally has,” the company said.“ In terms of service and rebuild capability and standards, it will be the same as what we offer customers in Australia, Poland, South Africa and China.”
Meanwhile in India, Eickhoff is set to deliver a first SL 750 via its local partner Rimco.“ Eickhoff is optimistic about the prospects in India over the next years as it becomes a major area for growth,” the company told IM.
Eickhoff currently also sees opportunity to extend market share in the thin-seam segment in China.
The new Eickhoff SL 300 L for thin-seam operations matches the proven principle of high-power density with reliability and user-friendly control and maintenance, the company says. The SL 300 L is currently undergoing certification for use in the Chinese coal mines. The machine operates with a machine body of only 750 mm height, to cut seam thicknesses from as low as 1.2 m.
Eickhoff said of this market:“ Very few companies can operate high-performance mining equipment successfully in lowseam and ultra-low-seam mines due to the complexities of operating and servicing these systems in such height-constrained environments. With the latest Eickhoff developments in sensor technology and automation, we have a viable solution with the SL 300 L.
“ Eickhoff’ s commitment to be the‘ Last Man Serving’ means we are continually innovating, investing and developing solutions to meet our customers’ needs, both now and in the future.”
Outside of the longwall sector, the new continuous miner generation CM2E is in South Africa ready for operation. This brings the latest iteration of Eickhoff’ s reputation for high production and durable equipment built for tough mining conditions and exceptional service to the local market, it says. automation solutions bolsters its dedication to the coal industry’ s future. Using advanced, web-based controls, Komatsu’ s Longwall Command and Control is removing operators from hazardous environments and enabling remote management of equipment, the company says. This solution allows for centralised management of mining equipment and brings consistency, productivity and safety to a new level.
Among its latest longwall innovations are intuitive gate end adjustments and audio visualisation, designed to enhance safety and productivity through remote management.
“ With real-time monitoring and greater control, operators can make more informed decisions, reduce downtime and improve performance from the surface,” the company said of these new capabilities.“ These innovations will soon integrate into the Longwall Command and Control suite and aim to refine precision and boost efficiency.”
HBT Americas marks major milestones
HBT Americas, part of HBT GmbH, recently delivered multiple K10 gearboxes and the completion of its first AFC sprocket rebuilds, marking significant milestones in both of its capital equipment delivery and aftermarket service capabilities.
These achievements reflect the Evans City team’ s technical expertise, dedication and growing role in supporting critical operations across the coal and industrial minerals sectors, the company says.
As part of a major capital project for a customer with a met coal operation in Alabama, the Evans City team engineered and assembled a custom HBT K10 gearbox tailored to meet the site’ s specific operational requirements. The delivery was part of a comprehensive package, including:
• HBT head drive and tail drive systems;
• Complete CST65 drive system;
• Beam stage loader & crusher; and
• Extensive spare parts package.
This all-in-one HBT solution supports the customer’ s ongoing modernisation efforts and is designed to enhance the performance and efficiency of its underground mining operations, HBT says.
The team also completed another K10 gearbox build, this time for a HBT Stage Loader for a trona producer in Wyoming, USA. The site, home to one of the world’ s largest natural trona deposits, continues to benefit from HBT’ s technical support and component reliability to maintain highperformance operations, the company says. Lastly, in a major aftermarket service milestone, the Evans City team completed its first three AFC sprocket rebuilds for another three US underground operations.
The company said:“ The customers recognise the value of collaborating with the OEM to support their equipment throughout the lifecycle. These successful rebuilds demonstrate HBT Americas’ growing aftermarket capabilities, providing customers with high-quality service and fast turnaround times. The accomplishment also reflects HBT’ s commitment to supporting long-term equipment performance in the field.”
Gainwell contributing to India’ s energy resilience
Back to continuous miners where Gainwell Engineering recently rolled out what it says is the first indigenously-manufactured continuous miner package, destined for the Jhanjra Colliery, which is part of Eastern Coalfields Ltd( ECL), a subsidiary of Coal India.
The 727 kW GCM345M model weighs 74.8 t and has a mining range of 2.2-4.3
Komatsu’ s coal commitment
Komatsu used the backdrop of MINExpo in Las Vegas to, it says, reaffirm its dedication to supporting coal customers and remaining steadfast in its long-term commitment to the industry.
With over 100 years of experience and a robust roadmap for the future, Komatsu says it continues investing in cutting-edge automation, innovative products and service solutions to help its customers achieve peak performance, safety and sustainability. Komatsu’ s continued evolution of
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HBT Americas’ Evans City team recently delivered a K10 gearbox to a customer with a met coal operation in Alabama
International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2025