Komatsu expands Aussie presence with MST Global acquisition

Komatsu Australia has acquired Mine Site Technologies Pty Ltd (MST Global), a provider of operational optimisation platforms for underground mining that leverage communication devices and position tracking systems. The acquisition is due to be finalised on 1 July 2022.

Empowering its customers’ growing use of digitalisation and automation to improve safety and productivity, Komatsu plans to work with MST Global to help customers built digital ecosystems with real-time insights and alerts, voice and communication technologies, software solutions, robust network infrastructure, and wireless and geospatial technologies. Sean Taylor, CEO of Komatsu Australia, said the company has earned a reputation for using technological innovation to help its customers achieve their goals. “We are pleased to continue this journey with the acquisition of MST Global,” said Taylor.

Together the companies will work to increase availability of high-speed, low-latency digital communication, which is necessary to provide mission-critical communication, integrate IoT sensors, increase the volume of information communicated and enable real-time tracking, monitoring and automation of mine operations. MST Global develops ruggedised, fit-for-purpose solutions and services partnering with mining and tunnelling customers on their digital strategy to enhance safety and productivity.

“MST Global has been delivering innovative solutions to the mining industry for 30 years, and is yet another example of Australia leading the world in mining innovation,” said Taylor.

With a global customer base, MST Global offers a platform to visualise and monitor the underground mining environment and enable control from a remote operations centre, to optimise mine operations and increase safety and productivity while safeguarding the environment. The solutions contribute to the digitisation and automation of underground mining operations. By adding MST Global’s experience and expertise in the introduction of communication devices and optimisation platforms, Komatsu aims to enhance the speed at which it offers advanced technology solutions, including the automation and teleoperation of mining equipment underground.

“MST Global’s expertise in leveraging optical-fibre broadband communication systems to build real-time geospatial digital twins of underground mining operations complements Komatsu’s existing solution offerings, and will help our customers achieve their goals of safety and productivity whilst safeguarding the environment,” said Taylor.

Komatsu is working to expand offerings for underground hard rock mining with the development of new equipment, processes and technologies that will help operations step forward to the next stage for the workplace of the future.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Mishainik