Komatsu acquires Mine Site Technologies to expand underground mining technologies available

Komatsu Ltd. has agreed to acquire Mine Site Technologies Pty Ltd., a provider of operational optimization platforms for underground mining that leverage communication devices and position tracking systems. Komatsu is planning to close the acquisition on July 1, 2022, on the condition that all necessary procedures for closing are completed. The impact on Komatsu's consolidated business results is estimated to be minimal.

As global demand for essential resources requires Komatsu's customers to go underground for mineral deposits, the company is developing new technologies, equipment, and solutions to support the industry's future needs. Empowering customers' use of digitalization and automation to improve safety and productivity, Komatsu plans to work with Mine Site Technologies to help customers build digital ecosystems with real-time insights and alerts, voice and communication technologies, software solutions, network infrastructure, and wireless and geospatial technologies. The companies will work to increase the availability of high-speed, low latency digital communication, which is necessary to provide critical communication, integrate IoT sensors, increase the volume of information communicated, enable real-time tracking, and the automation of mine operations.

Mine Site Technologies specializes in developing and delivering fit-for-purpose solutions and services partnering with mining and tunnelling customers on their digital strategy to unearth safety and productivity improvements. MST Global solutions enable communication between operators and mining equipment, as well as position tracking for operators and equipment. The company will leverage optical fibre broadband communication systems which create a real-time geospatial digital twin of underground operations. Mine Site Technologies offers a platform to visualize and monitor the underground mining environment and enable control from a remote operations centre. Using this technology, mine operations can increase safety and productivity whilst safeguarding the environment. The solutions contribute to the digitization and automation of underground mining operations.

By adding Mine Site Technologies' experience in the introduction of communication devices and optimization platforms, Komatsu aims to enhance the speed at which it offers technology solutions, including the automation and teleoperation of mining equipment underground.

Komatsu is working to expand underground hard rock mining offerings and provide a more sustainable environment.