The Chinese equipment maker said R&D, end-to-end digitalization and deeper local adaptation are central to sustainable mining, after signing what it called China’s largest export order for eco-friendly mining machinery with Fortescue.
XCMG used a Boao Forum for Asia conference in Perth on July 27 to outline three priorities it says are needed to advance the sustainable transformation of global mining: sustained research and development, end-to-end digital transformation and closer adaptation to local markets. The event, jointly organized by the Boao Forum for Asia and Fortescue under the theme of the next stage of cooperation in the green industry, brought together about 200 representatives from government, research institutes, and the industrial, technology and financial sectors. Speaking during a roundtable on innovation, AI and financial cooperation, Yang Dongsheng, president of XCMG Group and XCMG Machinery, said manufacturing and mining face a shared challenge in turning innovation, AI and digital technologies into fresh momentum for green growth. He said XCMG views AI (artificial intelligence) as a key tool for developing smarter equipment, enabling autonomous operations and using data-driven optimization to help mining customers improve efficiency, cut energy use and reduce emissions. After the conference, international delegates visited Fortescue mining sites in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. XCMG said it had signed with Fortescue the largest export order for environmentally friendly mining machinery ever recorded in China. The electric equipment will be deployed progressively at Fortescue’s Pilbara operations in line with the company’s commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2030. The company said its longer-term Australia strategy combines continued technology investment with local market knowledge as electrification and autonomous operation reshape mining. XCMG said it is developing new-energy equipment, digital technologies and smart mining applications while pushing lower-carbon manufacturing across its value chain to support the global energy transition.