Barrick Mining Corp. and Komatsu have formalized a $440 million deal that will see the Japanese construction giant begin delivering electric and electrified mining equipment assets to the company’s Reko Diq copper-gold project in Pakistan.
When Komatsu announced its 400-ton PC4000-11E hydraulic mining excavator last year, you knew it was only a matter of time before the world’s largest mining operations — keen to decarbonize — would come knocking.
“The Reko Diq project represents a long-term investment in our future and that of mining in Pakistan, and our partnership with Komatsu is an important part of that vision,” explains Mark Bristow, Barrick president and CEO. “Komatsu equipment has proven its performance and reliability at our operations worldwide, and we are confident in its ability to support our goals at Reko Diq. We look forward to building on this strong relationship as we develop one of the world’s newest greenfield assets.”
Big spending, bigger savings
The new electric drives featured in the 409 ton Komatsu PC4000-11E (at top) and Komatsu-owned P&H grid-connected electric rope shovel (above) are designed to reduce job site emissions by up to 95%. And, when paired the Komatsu Trolley Truck Assist System, the company says its new hydraulic excavator can offer a 50% savings in the total cost of ownership compared to a similar, conventional Tier 4 diesel drive equipment.
That 50% number? It’s not just a projection – It’s backed by real-world data. Komatsu says customers using the PC4000-11E in pilot programs have already realized 47% savings in total cost of ownership.
The fully automatic cable drum is designed for easier operation of the electrically driven excavator in backhoe configuration. The automatic winding of the cable makes maneuvering in the pit significantly easier and saves time. Simplified electric machine control enables fast troubleshooting and maintenance of the electrical system and contributes significantly to increasing the overall availability of the machine and helping our customers work toward achieving the highest safety standards.
“We see ourselves as partners to our customers, supporting and collaborating with them on their journey toward a more sustainable and efficient mining operation,” explains Peter Buhles, Vice President Sales and Service, Komatsu Germany GmbH – Mining Division. “We are looking forward to meeting everyone in person at our booth and showcasing our latest technical solutions for hydraulic mining excavators.”
Barrick Mining’s order includes an undisclosed mix of assets that includes a number of ultra-class haul trucks, mining excavators, rope shovels, and wheel loaders. Barrick will begin receiving the first examples of its new Komatsu mining machinery at its Pakistani operations in early 2026.
Electrek’s Take
With billions of dollars on the line and pressure to reduce carbon emissions coming from all sides, it should come as no surprise that the race is on to bring practical, electric, and even autonomous heavy mining equipment to market. At CES 2024, electric equipment from Hyundai, Bobcat, Volvo CE, Caterpillar, and others garnered lots of attention with their innovative concepts, and analysts like IDTechEx estimate that a single 150-ton haul truck can use over $850,000 worth of fuel in a single year.
Meanwhile, big electric locomotives like the Fortescue Infinity Train can, in certain use cases with high amounts of regenerative braking, operate without any significant cost to recharge. At that point, the reduced maintenance and downtime of BEVs compared to diesel vehicles becomes icing on the TCO cake.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Barrick Mining, via Heavy Equipment Guide.
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