Global OEM Komatsu announced 15 June it has come to an agreement to acquire Australian-based, globally focused underground connectivity provider Mine Site Technologies (MST).

Financial details of the deal were not available, though Komatsu said the transaction is through its wholly owned subsidiary in Australia.

“As global demand for essential resources requires Komatsu’s customers to go underground for mineral deposits, the company is rapidly developing new technologies, equipment and solutions to support the industry’s future needs,” said Komatsu President and CEO Hiroyuki Ogawa.

“Empowering its customers’ growing use of digitalisation and automation to improve safety and productivity, Komatsu plans to work with MST Global to help customers build digital ecosystems with real-time insights and alerts, voice and communication technologies, software solutions, robust network infrastructure and wireless and geospatial technologies.”

Together, Komatsu and MST will boost availability of high-speed, low latency digital communication, which is crucial to mission-critical communication as well as the integration of IoT sensors, increasing the volume of information communicated and enabling real-time tracking, monitoring and automation of mine operations.

Komatsu is planning to close the acquisition on 1 July pending the completion of all procedures for closing. The OEM said the impact on its consolidated business results is estimated to be minimal.

“Per the company’s ongoing mid-term management plan 'DANTOTSU Value - Together, to ‘The Next’ for sustainable growth,' Komatsu is working to expand offerings for underground hard rock mining, creating new value for customers 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 and provide a more sustainable environment for the next generation,” the executive said.

Source: https://www.asiaminer.com/news/latest-news/11062-komatsu-to-acquire-mine-site-technologies.html#.Yr0TO3ZBy5d