Cummins demonstrates its leadership and progress in sustainable mining at The Electric Mine 2025

The Cummins Destination Zero strategy seeks to meet customers where they are in the energy transition to zero carbon, zero emissions solutions by providing lower-carbon solutions for every step of the way. 

At The Electric Mine 2025 in Santiago, Chile, Cummins showcased its progress in developing a portfolio of bridge solutions that allow miners to reduce emissions today and eventually hit zero tomorrow.

Sponsorship and Strategic Presence

Now in its fourth year, The Electric Mine (TEM) annually brings together OEMs, surface and underground miners, services suppliers, consultants and engineers from all over the world to highlight new technologies and adoption case studies through a mix of speaking sessions, exhibit space and networking events.

This year, Cummins supported The Electric Mine — often recognized as the world’s only global mine electrification event — as a Gold-Level Conference Sponsor, showcasing a strong presence both in the exhibit hall and during the plenary presentations.

Cummins also joined Komatsu and Epiroc as one of three sponsors of the Conference Dinner, seizing the opportunity to unveil a hybrid-electric retrofit solution unlike anything the mining industry has seen before, while hosting key customers and industry leaders at exclusive VIP tables.

Cummins + First Mode at TEM 2025

In February 2025, Cummins advanced its commitment to the energy transition with the acquisition of key assets from First Mode – a company known for its innovative retrofit hybrid solutions for mining and rail markets. The deal brought in hybrid product lines for both sectors, along with a full portfolio of intellectual property, including cutting-edge hydrogen and battery powertrain technologies.

Attendees of TEM got to see firsthand the immediate impact of the acquisition on the mining industry as Cummins unveiled a prototype of the world’s first hybrid electric retrofit system for mining equipment – developed by First Mode.

The HEV retrofit kit will be piloted in Chile in Q3-2025, offering miners various benefits including fuel consumption and emissions reduction of up to 30%, life extension of key truck components and potential reduction of cycle time, all while requiring no new infrastructure, or modifications to base truck functionality.

“At Cummins, we’ve been powering mining operations for years, and we know the industry,” explained Molly Puga, General Manager of First Mode at Cummins. “By combining Cummins’ deep expertise in powertrains with First Mode’s innovative hybrid tech, we can optimize entire systems—not just individual components. And it opens the door to advanced features like sport/eco modes and stop/start functionality—giving miners the performance they need while reducing their environmental impact.”

Progress by Partnerships 

In her plenary presentation – “Cummins Partnering to Accelerate Mining Hybrids Toward Electrification” – Molly Puga offered a glimpse at the tangible advancements Cummins has made in the past year, including the First Mode acquisition and strategic partnerships with OEMs like Komatsu, NHL, and XCMG.

Key takeaways from her presentation included:

• Why Hybrids Matter: Mining companies are under pressure today to cut costs, boost productivity, and reduce their environmental impact. Hybrid retrofit kits offer a smart, low-risk solution—extending the life of existing equipment while cutting fuel use and emissions. As a flexible bridge technology, hybrids help miners navigate the energy transition without waiting for full electrification.
• Proven Performance: At the Baiyun Iron Mine in Mongolia, a Cummins hybrid truck has already logged over 3,000 hours, delivering fuel savings of 15–20%.
• Global Partnerships and Pilots: Cummins is working closely with OEMs and mining companies to pilot hybrid solutions around the world. A major pilot is set to launch in Q3 2025 with Antofagasta in Chile, with additional market seeding planned through 2026. Factory-ready solutions are expected by 2027.

Cummins Innovations on Display

Within their booth space, Cummins also offered a variety of advancements for attendees to explore, including PrevenTech® – its newly-enhanced remote engine monitoring platform which offers 24/7 visibility into mine site equipment and detects potential issues early to reduce downtime, improves performance and streamlines maintenance.

And for customers operating QSK60 or QSK78 engines, Cummins also displayed its available programs to upgrade to the MCRS fuel system during a rebuild with such benefits as up to 10% longer life to overhaul, significant reductions in particulate matter emissions, fuel savings of up to 5%, and noticeably quieter, smoother engine performance. 

In all facets of The Electric Mine 2025, Cummins confirmed its strong positioning as a key enabler of mining’s decarbonized future.