Immersive thermal management for heavy-duty electric mining machinery is emerging as a key constraint and enabler as non-road mobile machinery is projected to rise from 16% to 37% of global NOx emissions by 2050. Developers are moving beyond simple liquid cooling to tightly integrated systems that co-optimise battery packs, inverters and high-power traction motors under high-load, low-speed duty cycles typical of underground haul trucks and loaders. For engineers, the message is that thermal design now directly governs achievable power density, duty cycle length and battery life in next-generation electric fleets.

Nokia has launched its Cognitive Operations (CO) platform, combining mission-critical private wireless networks with accelerated edge computing and operational AI to support field operations where downtime is unacceptable, including large, distributed mine sites. CO ingests data from site communications infrastructure and connected assets to build real-time “site and asset intelligence”, supporting use cases such as maintaining always-on pit-to-plant connectivity and coordinating emergency response vehicles. For mining engineers, the platform signals tighter integration of OT networks, edge analytics and AI-driven decision support directly at the mine edge rather than in remote data centres.

Komatsu has opened a new full-service parts distribution centre in St. Albert, near Edmonton, to support its Canadian mining fleet with faster access to critical components. The facility is designed to expand parts availability and shorten distribution lead times for dealers, improving turnaround on major items such as truck and shovel components and planned maintenance kits. For mine operators running large Komatsu haul trucks and loading equipment in remote Alberta and northern sites, the move should reduce downtime risk linked to long-distance parts logistics.