OEMs pick Norcat for mining tech development

Komatsu has selected the Norcat Underground Centre in northern Ontario, Canada, to support the development and refinement of its newly developed WX04B battery electric load-haul-dump (LHD) vehicle for underground mining.

Norcat, a non-profit technology and innovation center based in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, said the collaboration demonstrates its ongoing commitment to provide world-class facilities and resources to accelerate the commercialization of mining technologies.

“Komatsu is thrilled to partner with Norcat to further refine our newly developed WX04B battery electric LHD at their underground facility in Sudbury, Ontario,” said Tyler Vien, LHD product manager for Komatsu. “The ease of accessibility partnered with the convenience of having a real-world mine environment within a few kilometers of our hard rock new product development facility is unmatched and will accelerate the introduction of this product into the market.”

The partnership will enable Komatsu to test and optimize the performance of the WX04B in a realistic underground mining environment, gathering valuable data and insights that will shape the future of battery-electric equipment in the mining industry.

Komatsu’s new WX04B battery-electric load-haul-dump (LHD) machine undergoing testing at the Norcat Underground Centre in northern Ontario, Canada. (Photo: Norcat)

“We are excited to partner with Komatsu to support the development, testing, and demonstration of their industrial battery-electric technology,” said Don Duval, CEO of Norcat. “Our Underground Centre serves as the global hub for mining technology and innovation, and this partnership underscores our commitment to expedite the adoption and diffusion of technologies that will shape the future of mining.”

The Komatsu collaboration is the latest in a series of announcements made by Norcat. Earlier in December, the company said that Becker Mining Systems, a German supplier of mining technology that includes communication and monitoring systems, had also selected its Underground Centre to test and refine its technology.

“Expediting technology development, testing, and demonstration processes is a priority for Becker Mining Systems” said Albert Bower, CEO of Varis Mine Technology, Becker Mining System’s location in Sudbury. “Our utilization of the Norcat Underground Centre and participation in this vibrant tech ecosystem will allow us to deliver on this mandate and bring our solutions to the global mining industry.”

Norcat said the underground mine will provide Becker Mining Systems a combination of services and resources including mobile equipment, 5G and Wi-Fi communications infrastructure, active headings, a state-of-the-art surface building, and collaboration opportunities with leading technology partners and mining professionals.

“This collaboration [with Becker Mining Systems] exemplifies the core mission of the Norcat Underground Centre — to provide a platform where mining technology companies can test, refine, and de-risk their products in a true-to-life mining environment,” said ,” added Greg Major, Director of the Norcat Underground Centre. “Becker Mining Systems’ commitment to innovation will undoubtedly contribute to advancing the industry.”