The developments include updates to the QSK60 high-horsepower mining engine, new capabilities within the PrevenTech remote monitoring platform, continued refinement of hybrid-electric haulage solutions and an all-new, clean-sheet mining engine.
Starting in Q326, these Cummins mining advancements are designed to help boost productivity, reduce ownership costs, and deliver greater lifecycle value across the installed based, while offering practical solutions for lower emissions in modern mining.
“As mining operations face increasing pressure to remain productive while navigating a range of industry challenges, our focus remains on delivering practical solutions that help customers operate more efficiently today while preparing for the future,” said Gbile Adewunmi, Vice President, Power Systems Industrial Markets, Cummins.
Advancing the QSK60: Targeted upgrades for greater mining value
Cummins continues to advance its high-horsepower engine platforms to offer greater value for mining operations through the company’s newly introduced model year change programme, intended to proactively evaluate enhancement opportunities for industrial high-horsepower products and deliver improvements within a three-year cycle.
The 2027 QSK60, the latest-generation of Cummins' 60-litre engine, is the first of many platforms that will be part of this programme. This mining-specific model introduces targeted updates to further optimise total cost of ownership and operational performance, delivering benefits to customers through new QSK60 engines produced after 1Q27 and through engine rebuilds completed from that point forward.
These enhancements reflect Cummins’ focus on maximising value across the full engine lifecycle, including multiple rebuild cycles supported through its global service network.
The full model year scope is projected to deliver up to 3% improvement in total cost of ownership (TCO) and up to 16% improvement in lifecycle cost (LCC), with realised benefits varying by application, duty cycle, operating conditions, maintenance practices, and configuration. These gains are expected to come through a combination of extended life to overhaul and adjusted maintenance practices, among other updates.
In fact, life to overhaul is projected to extend by 5 to 10% of fuel consumed and maintenance costs could be reduced by 50+% due to inclusion of NanoNet® Plus technology as standard, removing the need for injector change-out at mid-life. Additionally, customers will have the option to receive their engine from the factory with the FIT suite of sensors and monitoring capabilities when paired with PrevenTech, enabling miners to further extend maintenance intervals and maximize uptime through advanced analytics.
Enhancing Engine Reliability and Proactive Maintenance with PrevenTech®
PrevenTech®, Cummins’ integrated engine reliability and performance solution for mining, plays a central role in helping customers monitor engine health, plan maintenance more proactively and reduce unplanned downtime through connected insights delivered via Cummins’ global service network.
Building on enhancements introduced last year, Cummins plans a platform update in the third quarter that will further improve how maintenance issues are identified and managed, helping customers focus on the most critical actions with greater clarity. This update will impact the existing software population as well as new installations, further advancing Cummins’ data-enabled service capabilities across its installed base.
According to Adewunmi: “Connected insights are essential to keeping mining equipment productive. As we continue to enhance the PrevenTech® platform, we’re making it easier for customers to turn engine data into clearer maintenance priorities – supporting higher uptime and more efficient operations.”
More information will be released later this year.
Expanding hybrid solutions for mining
2026 marks a critical year for Cummins and the mining industry as the company accelerates its hybrid innovation toward commercial solutions. A successful pilot programme is already under way at the Caserones low-grade copper and molybdenum mine in Atacama Region, Chile, deploying the world’s first commercial hybrid electric ultra-class mining truck in production.
This pilot programme is intended to validate performance, durability and energy recovery under real operating conditions while informing commercial hybrid solutions designed to achieve up to 30% reductions in fuel use and emissions. These hybrid solutions are designed to deliver measurable efficiency and productivity gains today, while supporting customers’ longer-term emissions goals. Additional pilots are planned across the Americas in 2026, leading to the next generation of product release in early 2027, with a target of delivering up to 1 MW of supplemental power to the drivetrain to help enable faster cycle times and reduce diesel consumption, depending on application and operating conditions.
Cummins’ hybrid-electric retrofit platform, powered by First Mode technology, combines battery-electric power with the existing diesel drivetrain to capture and reuse energy throughout the haul cycle. The kit provides additional power during high-demand segments, such as climbs, while improving overall energy utilisation and productivity for ultra-class mining haul trucks. The retrofit system integrates with existing truck platforms and mine infrastructure, allowing operations to adopt hybrid capability without significant changes to fleet configuration or site power systems.
Hybrid systems support longer equipment life through multiple mechanisms, from reducing engine load and limiting stress on braking systems to improved component longevity and reduced maintenance demands across the haul fleet.
“Mining customers are looking for solutions that deliver immediate efficiency gains without disrupting existing operations,” explained Adewunmi. “Hybrid retrofit technologies allow operators to reduce fuel consumption, improve productivity, and take a practical step toward lower emissions using the equipment and infrastructure they have today.”
Cummins continues to advance its hybrid pathway through ongoing innovation and enhancements expected to further improve performance, efficiency and emissions reduction for the future of mining operations.
The Next Generation of Mining Power
Looking beyond updates to today’s portfolio, Cummins is also shaping what comes next. The company has announced that field testing is now under way for a new clean-sheet engine platform designed primarily for 90–120 ton haul trucks and 150 – 220 t excavators, with planned applicability across a wider range of mining and industrial equipment, including surface miners, bulldozers, wheel loaders and dewatering pumps.
The platform represents the company’s next step in advancing high-horsepower engine technology for key mining applications. “Mining operations demand equipment that can deliver strong performance while maintaining long-term value across the life of the asset,” said Adewunmi.
“This new platform reflects Cummins’ continued focus on innovation, combining proven engineering with new technology designed to deliver powerful performance, optimised lifecycle value, and future-ready capability for the next generation of mining equipment.” More information will be released later this year.