US-listed transportation company Wabtec has built its 5,000th mining drive system wheel built at its plant in Fort Worth, Texas.
The company said the milestone highlights the commercial success of the mining wheel for heavy-haul mining trucks, which it said sets the standard for reliable and fuel-efficient performance in the mining industry.
Rogerio Mendonca, Wabtec's president of freight equipment, said: "In a decade, this team helped startup Wabtec's mining plant and build 5,000 high-quality mining wheels for our customers.
"Their efforts have positioned Wabtec's electric drive system as the leader in the mining industry. That success is a tribute to our customers, employees, and suppliers.
"They are essential to these mining wheels' success and strong performance."
Bappa Banerjee, Wabtec's vice president of mining equipment, said Wabtec is experiencing significant demand for its mining equipment as customers look to invest in electrification to improve efficiencies and lower costs.
"We are confident in our mining business and are optimistic that demand will continue to accelerate for our products that help our customers get mineral and energy resources out of the mine and into the marketplace in a sustainable manner," Bannerjee said.
The company said that Wabtec's electric propulsion and electric auxiliaries would also be critical enablers for the transition of mining trucks to alternative fuel sources, including natural gas, trolley, battery, and hydrogen fuel cell.
