Komatsu Mining has officially opened its new $285 million corporate offices and manufacturing plant in Milwaukee, WI.

The Japan-based company said the plant will be part of the expected shift to more renewable energy and electric vehicles.

The new 58-acre campus located in Milwaukee’s Harbor District includes a 180,000-sq-ft office building and a 430,000-sq-ft manufacturing facility, which produces the major components of large mining machines, including electric rope shovels, hybrid shovels, draglines and blasthole drills. The location serves as the large gearing center of excellence and the large fabrication and machining center of excellence for Komatsu’s surface mining business.

With the new campus, Komatsu aims to create a remarkable workplace for the future in Milwaukee, where the company has more than a century of history. The new facility was designed and built to enhance Komatsu’s goal of “creating value together” by leveraging technology and open spaces, providing a globally connected meeting place for both company and community, and emphasizing sustainability.

“Our South Harbor campus and its many sustainability features are part of our global commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and sustainable growth as a company,” said Mr. Ogawa. “This is an important goal for Komatsu along with society, as we all work to do our part to address global warming. Through this campus, we hope to contribute to the Milwaukee community by implementing our growth strategy.”

Komatsu Surface Mining President John Koetz says the company is hoping its huge mining shovels and other equipment made locally will increasingly be used digging up minerals like nickel, cobalt, graphite, and lithium—used in the production of renewable energy and electric cars.

"Our business is being driven by renewables. Renewable energy is mineral-intensive. Both in batteries, and when you're talking about wind power, and solar. Sustainable mining. The goal is how do we protect the planet, preserve the planet, but also create that renewable energy to power the future of the world?" Koetz told WUWM.

Komatsu says it's also aiming for a 50 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from its products and production of its equipment by 2030, compared to 2010 levels, and a target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

But as some in the mining industry, and mining-equipment makers, shift toward a new business plan, groups that monitor the mining business have a couple of requests.