Caterpillar announces its plans for MINExpo
Themed “Together, we’re mining better,” Caterpillar’s MINExpo 2021 experience celebrates the company’s partnership with mines and the ways it assists customers to mine more efficiently, effectively, safely and sustainably. The 5 124-m2 (55,000-sq ft) exhibit will feature a broad range of product displays, new equipment introductions, previews of what the future holds and remote operating stations.
The exhibit will be grouped under three specific core areas: environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) and sustainability; technology and automation; and equipment lifecycle management solutions.
“After waiting an extra year, the mining industry is ready to reconnect at MINExpo. We are excited to show our customers and the industry the advancements Caterpillar has made not only in equipment, technology and services but also in how we are helping customers mine more sustainably,” said Caterpillar Resource Industries Group President Denise Johnson. “While we are eager to exhibit in Las Vegas, we recognize that many of our dealers and customers will not be able to travel to the show. Therefore, we are also creating a digital Caterpillar experience at cat.com/mining, where we will place MINExpo specific content.”
At the exhibit Caterpillar will unveil the world’s largest, most powerful and efficient electric drive dozer with high drive in the new Cat D11 XE. The new Cat R1700 XE LHD for underground mining that features 100 percent battery electric propulsion that generates significantly less heat and noise will also be on display as will the the new Cat 777G Water Truck equipped with MineStar Command for hauling that boasts the market’s first autonomous water delivery system.
Achieving sustainability goals requires mines to continually strive for operational improvement. Fully optimizing operations delivers the highest safety and productivity at the lowest cost and least possible environmental impact.
“Technology and automation are critical components for substantially improving machine uptime availability and productivity,” said Marc Cameron, Vice President, Caterpillar Resource Industries. “Through Cat MineStar Solutions, Caterpillar offers customers scalable technologies to fit the mine’s specific needs. The exhibit’s technology and automation stage will focus on the real value that Caterpillar technology options provide customers.”
MINExpo will be the first opportunity for many attendees to learn more about the recently introduced Cat MineStar Edge. It brings visibility to the entire mining operation to show how activities early in the process impact those further down the value chain. MineStar Edge makes it possible to measure, manage, analyze and improve the entire mining operation.
Equipped with MineStar Command for hauling, the new Cat 777G Water Truck provides a glimpse into the future for autonomously lowering dust levels at the mine site while maintaining haul road safety. Featuring the market’s first autonomous water delivery system, the machine integrates truck, tank and sprayer and knows where and when to water haul roads.
Representing the Caterpillar fleet of autonomous trucks, the displayed Cat 794 AC electric drive will be factory-installed with Cat MineStar Command for hauling. Recently, autonomous trucks using Command for hauling surpassed 3 billion tonnes of material hauled, safely traveling more than 110 million km (68.3 million mi).
Accurate to the centimeter, the exhibited Cat MD6310 rotary blasthole drill offers technology, efficiency, safety and productivity improvements. Fully integrating Caterpillar’s proven components and systems, including technology and automation, the drill is capable of up to
42 149 kg (92,922 lb) of bit load and targets 203- to 311-mm (8- to 12.5-in) hole diameters.
Exhibiting how technology can improve safety at the mine site, the Cat MineStar Detect Driver Safety System (DSS) display details how the system monitors eye-closure and head pose to alert the driver via seat vibration and/or audio alarm the moment fatigue or distraction is identified. DSS has been shown to reduce 97 percent of the most significant fatigue events, 80 percent of average fatigue events and 91 percent of distraction events.
Several Cat Command stations and trailers will be on display for attendees to experience effective remote control and semi-autonomous drilling, dozing and underground operations from many kilometers away.
Caterpillar invites all MINExpo 2021 attendees to visit its Central Hall exhibit, #6229, at the Las Vegas Convention Center from September 13-15. For more information about how Caterpillar and customers are mining better together, visit www.cat.com/mining.