The Elements of Innovation Discovered
The Elements of Innovation Discovered
Metal Tech News - July 30, 2025
The Power Agnostic Komatsu 930E is engineered to be powered by diesel, battery-electric, or hydrogen fuel cell powertrains.
Boliden's Aitik mine is serving as the proving ground for a diesel Power Agnostic Komatsu 930E coupled with trolley assist.
As mining companies advance along diverse paths toward net-zero operations, Komatsu has adopted a power-agnostic strategy that allows its haulage equipment to evolve in parallel with its customers' decarbonization timelines.
In a major milestone along this path, Komatsu and Swedish mining and smelting company Boliden have commissioned the first diesel-powered truck in the OEM's power-agnostic series for field testing at the Aitik copper mine in northern Sweden.
"This is more than just a technical achievement; it's a meaningful step forward in our joint commitment towards zero-emission mining," said Jeroen De Roeck, senior mining manager at Komatsu Europe. "By commissioning the first diesel trolley truck in our Power Agnostic series at Boliden's Aitik Mine, we are turning vision into reality."
The Power Agnostic Komatsu 930E truck – first unveiled at MINExpo 2024 in Las Vegas last September – is now undergoing a 12-month trial, operating in tandem with the trolley-assist infrastructure already installed at Aitik. This pairing is expected to significantly reduce diesel consumption and emissions while gathering performance data to support Komatsu's broader decarbonization roadmap.
"Integrating the Power Agnostic 930E into our fleet reflects Boliden's ambition to be at the forefront of sustainable mining," said Boliden Senior Project Manager Jonas Ranggard, Sr. "Partnering with Komatsu on this pilot helps us explore innovative solutions that align with our climate goals while continuing to deliver productivity and performance."
Boliden's Aitik mine is serving as the proving ground for a diesel Power Agnostic Komatsu 930E coupled with trolley assist.
Komatsu's power-agnostic strategy centers on modular design. Customers can begin with a conventional diesel powertrain and, as new energy technologies mature, retrofit the haul truck with battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell, or other low-emission alternatives – enabling a transition to cleaner power options without the need to purchase a new machine.
Boliden, a founding member of Komatsu's Greenhouse Gas Alliance, is providing its Aitik mine as the testing ground for this next-generation mining truck engineered to transition with decarbonization strategies. The trolley-assist system at the mine reduces reliance on the onboard diesel engine during uphill hauls, further improving fuel efficiency and curbing carbon emissions.
"We see great potential in this technology and look forward to where it can lead us next," said Ranggard.
The operational insights from the Aitik trial will inform the refinement of Komatsu's full power-agnostic lineup, which is being engineered to flex with the evolving energy strategies of global mine operators.
"Our partnership with Boliden is a shining example of how collaboration can drive sustainable innovation in mining," De Roeck added.
With more than 17 years of covering mining, Shane is renowned for his insights and in-depth analysis of mining, mineral exploration, and technology metals.
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