The updates include targeted enhancements to the QSK60 high-horsepower mining engine, expanded capabilities within the PrevenTech® remote monitoring platform, continued refinement of hybrid-electric haulage solutions, and field testing of an all-new, clean-sheet mining engine.
“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”, says Gbile Adewunmi, Vice President, Power Systems Industrial Markets, Cummins.
Advancing the QSK60: Targeted upgrades for greater mining value
As part of the company’s new model year change programme for industrial high-horsepower engines, the 60 liter platform is the first to receive targeted updates to further optimize total cost of ownership and operational performance for new QSK60 engines produced after 1Q27 and through engine rebuilds completed from that point forward.
The full model year scope is expected 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, and configuration. These gains are anticipated to come through a combination of extended life to overhaul and adjusted maintenance practices, among other updates.
Life to overhaul is projected to extend by 5 – 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 FleetguardFIT™ suite of sensors and monitoring capabilities when paired with PrevenTech, helping extend maintenance intervals and maximise uptime through advanced analytics.
Enhancing engine reliability and proactive maintenance with PrevenTech®
PrevenTech®, Cummins’ integrated engine reliability and performance solution for mining, helps 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 third-quarter platform update to 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.
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 mine in 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. 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.
“Mining customers are looking for solutions that deliver immediate efficiency gains without disrupting existing operations”, explains 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.”
Shaping the next generation of mining power
Looking beyond updates to today’s portfolio, Cummins is also shaping what comes next, with field testing now under way for a new clean-sheet engine platform designed primarily for 90 – 120 t haul trucks and 150 – 220 t excavators.
“Mining operations demand equipment that can deliver strong performance while maintaining long-term value across the life of the asset”, says Adewunmi. “This new platform reflects Cummins’ continued focus on innovation, combining proven engineering with new technology designed to deliver powerful performance, optimised lifecycle valuem, and future-ready capability for the next generation of mining equipment.”
More information will be released later this year.
Continuing a century of innovation in mining
By advancing innovations across its mining portfolio, from next-generation engines to connected maintenance platforms and hybrid technologies, Cummins remains focused on helping mining operations power their fleets reliably while preparing for the future of the industry.