Komatsu introduces innovations for room and pillar mining at MINExpo 2021

September 13, 2021 — To demonstrate its continued support of, and collaboration with, soft rock operations, Komatsu introduces new machine features and a next-generation conveyor chain to help mines maximize uptime and achieve productivity goals. These offerings debuting at MINExpo 2021 include the 12HM46 continuous miner with the new Titan Cutter Head, the BH-18A battery hauler with new lithium-ion battery technology, and the NXT Single Sprocket Conveyor Chain — all designed to help operators make progress with automation and solve common issues experienced by today’s mining companies.

“Productive room and pillar mining comes down to having the machines and parts that can help soft rock mining operations extract and haul more coal and industrial minerals in less time,” says Jim Haughey, product director. “With these new features and a next-generation conveyor chain design, operators have tools that can help them hit their productivity targets while making inroads into automation.”

Engineered for the rigors and unique challenges of underground room and pillar mining, these three offerings provide distinct advantages:

• The 12HM46 continuous miner with Titan Cutter Head is Komatsu’s largest and most powerful drum-style continuous miner with 50% more cutting power and 70% more productivity potential than the company’s other continuous miners. The machine is engineered specifically for industrial mineral applications, like trona, gypsum, potash and salt.
• The BH-18A battery hauler with new lithium-ion battery technology is designed to deliver improvements in productivity, sustainability and cost compared to traditional lead-acid battery technology. Lithium-ion batteries can power a hauler up to 136,000 feet per charge vs. 115,000 feet for lead-acid batteries, and charge in less than 2.5 hours.
• The NXT Single Sprocket Conveyor Chain features a new patented chain link with dirt relief technology that is 46% stronger than previous models for improved reliability. Dual scraping flights are designed to solve issues that could lead to premature chain failure, and other innovations improve the time necessary to change flights and connecting links. This quality part is designed for both continuous miners and shuttle cars.

“These three offerings represent our ongoing commitment to collaborating with our valued customers to help them solve today’s room and pillar mining challenges, hit coal and industrial mineral extraction and haulage targets, and further their automation efforts,” says Brian Thompson, vice president, mining and crushing systems. “They also reflect our dedication to detail by bringing engineering innovations to something as simple, yet critical, as a conveyor chain.”

Located in Central Hall C3, the Komatsu booth (#7027) at MINExpo 2021 will feature the WE1850-3 wheel loader, as well as the company’s unified and expanded mining offerings. Additional solutions will be highlighted at neighboring booths for Modular Mining, a Komatsu technology brand (Booth #7671), and Immersive Technologies (Booth #7583) and Hensley Industries (Booth #5401), both Komatsu subsidiaries.

Learn more about the company's room and pillar offerings.

About Komatsu
Komatsu develops and supplies technologies, equipment and services for the construction, mining, forklift, industrial and forestry markets. For a century, the company has been creating value for its customers through manufacturing and technology innovation, partnering with others to empower a sustainable future where people, business and the planet thrive together. Front-line industries worldwide use Komatsu solutions to develop modern infrastructure, extract fundamental minerals, maintain forests and create consumer products. The company’s global service and distributor networks support customer operations to enhance safety and productivity while optimizing performance.