Komatsu releases ‘smallest’ battery-electric drillers and bolters

Komatsu’s electric ZB21 jumbo drill. (Image: Komatsu)

The ZB21 and ZJ21 are the smallest size-class drills and bolters to offer a batter-electric vehicle option, said Komatsu.

“[They] feature a modular battery driveline with 83 kWh of onboard energy designed for demanding tram cycles and the challenges of hard rock mining,” added the company.

The ZJ21 jumbo drill is a single-boom development drill with a fully enclosed operator cabin, drilling feeds, pilot hydraulics, and drifters manufactured by France-based Montabert, a subsidiary of Komatsu.

Montabert also produced the drifters for the ZB21 bolter, which includes Komatsu’s optional pumpable resin system attachment that uses a two-part resin from US-based Jennmar.

“Both product lines now include battery-electric versions featuring Komatsu’s innovative approach to BEV with onboard, smart, opportunistic charging and designed for seamless integration and compatibility with existing mine infrastructure,” said Komastsu.

Johan Kempe, product director for underground drilling at Komatsu, said, “As underground mining operations increasingly shift toward electrification of their fleets, our innovative, battery-powered Z2 jumbo drills and bolters will support that pivotal transition. By integrating into existing infrastructure, we can help enhance productivity while helping to reduce operating costs.”