Top 10: Energy Efficiency Tools

As the global transition toward a carbon-neutral economy accelerates in 2026, the mining industry has moved beyond traditional extraction to become a high-tech frontier of energy management.

No longer viewed solely as heavy consumers of power, modern mining operations are now digital ecosystems where efficiency is the primary driver of profitability.

From the deployment of autonomous 'pit-to-port' software to the rise of massive battery-electric haulage fleets, the focus has shifted toward squeezing every kilowatt of value from the grid.

In this week’s Top 10, Mining Digital ranks the essential tools and platforms enabling miners to slash their emissions while meeting the unprecedented global demand for critical minerals.

10. AES Corporation

Founded: 1981
CEO: Andres Gluski
Location: Arlington, Virginia, USA

The AES Corporation serves the mining industry as a strategic energy partner, providing the large-scale renewable energy infrastructure and management tools needed for sustainable operations. 

Its services go beyond equipment; they design, build and operate custom energy solutions that often include massive Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) through its joint venture, Fluence. 

Its energy tools also include proprietary software for real-time energy optimisation, which helps mines hedge against volatile energy prices by shifting loads to times when renewable generation is at its peak.

9. Hitachi Energy

Founded: 2020
CEO: Andreas Schierenbeck
Location: Zurich, Switzerland

Hitachi Energy provides the mining industry with the critical infrastructure required to power modern, electrified mines with sustainable energy. 

While other companies focus on the machines, Hitachi Energy focuses on the Grid-Edge solutions and energy-balancing tools that make those machines viable. 

Hitachi Energy’s services include the integration of Renewables-plus-Storage systems, allowing mines to utilise solar and wind power even during periods of intermittency.

8. Liebherr Group

Founded: 1949
President: Jan Liebherr
Location: Bulle, Switzerland

The Liebherr Group provides large-scale engineering solutions aimed at the total decarbonisation of mining haulage. 

Its services for the industry focus on ‘Open Integration’, allowing mines to incorporate Liebherr’s electric mining trucks and excavators into existing fleets regardless of the brand. 

Liebherr’s energy tools include the Trolley Assist System, which is currently one of the most widely deployed solutions for reducing diesel consumption in ultra-class trucks.

7. Hitachi Construction Machinery

Founded: 1951
President: Kotaro Hirano
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Hitachi Construction Machinery (HCM) provides the mining industry with highly efficient, IoT-enabled equipment designed to lower the total cost of ownership through energy savings. 

HCM’s core service includes the production of electric-drive hydraulic excavators and trolley-assisted haul trucks that significantly reduce on-site carbon emissions. Its primary energy tool is the ConSite suite, an automated service report system that uses IoT sensors to monitor machine performance and energy efficiency.

6. Sandvik

Founded: 1862
CEO: Stefan Widing
Location: Stockholm, Sweden

Sandvik specialises in electrification technologies specifically tailored for the rigours of underground rock excavation. Its service revolves around a massive fleet of battery-electric loaders, trucks and drills that utilise proprietary ‘drivetrain’ technology to outperform diesel counterparts. 

Sandvik’s energy tools include the AutoMine and OptiMine digital platforms, which provide data analytics to optimise energy consumption during autonomous operations.

5. Komatsu

Founded: 1921
CEO: Takuya Imayoshi​​​​​​​
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Komatsu is a pioneer in the development of autonomous and electric mining systems, providing tools that prioritise operational efficiency as a pathway to energy reduction. 

Its primary service involves the Autonomous Haulage System (AHS), which uses precision GPS and sensor data to operate fleets with robotic consistency. 

This consistency is a major energy tool; by eliminating human-driven variables like erratic braking or sub-optimal gear shifting, Komatsu's autonomous trucks consume significantly less fuel and energy per cycle. 

Komatsu also offers Power Agnostic truck platforms, allowing mines to start with diesel and transition to trolley or battery power as their infrastructure evolves.

4. Caterpillar

Founded: 1925
CEO: Joe Creed
Location: Irving, Texas, USA

Caterpillar provides energy-efficient mining solutions through a combination of heavy-duty electrified machinery and sophisticated data analytics. 

Its service to the mining industry centres on the Cat MineStar technology suite, which includes tools for tracking and managing energy consumption across a fleet. 

Caterpillar’s latest offerings include battery-electric large mining trucks (such as the 793 Electric) and hybrid electric-drive loaders that capture energy during braking to be reused during acceleration.

3. Schneider Electric

Founded: 1836
CEO: Olivier Blum
Location: Rueil-Malmaison, France

Schneider Electric provides the digital backbone for mining energy systems through its EcoStruxure for Mining platform. Its service focuses on the convergence of operational technology and information technology to provide ‘pit-to-port’ visibility. 

Schneider’s tools allow mining companies to aggregate data from across their power distribution networks, identifying inefficiencies in high-energy equipment like crushers and conveyors. 

Its energy management tools include Power Monitoring Expert, which provides deep analytics into power quality and usage patterns, allowing mines to participate in demand-response programs and avoid peak-tariff penalties.

2. Epiroc

Founded: 1873
CEO: Helena Hedblom
Location: Nacka, Sweden

Epiroc is a leader in the transition toward battery-electric vehicles (BEV) for underground mining, providing a suite of tools designed to eliminate exhaust emissions and reduce energy intensity. 

Its service model focuses on ‘Electrification as a Service’, which removes the initial capital barriers for mines looking to switch to green energy. 

Epiroc’s battery-driven rigs and loaders are complemented by advanced Smart Power energy management tools that monitor battery health and optimise charging cycles to ensure fleet availability without overstressing the mine's electrical grid.

1. ABB

Founded: 1988
CEO: Morten Wierod
Location: Zurich, Switzerland

Key to driving the future of mining, ABB does this through its comprehensive eMine portfolio. This integrated approach focuses on the complete electrification of the mining value chain, specifically targeting the replacement of diesel-powered systems with high-efficiency electric alternatives. 

Its energy tools provide a seamless transition from the power grid directly to the mine's haulage equipment. ABB’s specialised trolley systems and fast-charging infrastructure also allow massive haul trucks to operate on electric power during uphill climbs, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of deep-pit operations. 

Beyond hardware, ABB’s Ability digital platform acts as the brain of the operation, using advanced energy management software to monitor consumption in real-time.