Mining operations face sustained pressure to get more productivity from increasingly capital-intensive assets. As ore bodies become more complex and conditions more demanding, equipment availability and reliability have become decisive factors in maintaining output, managing costs and protecting long-term asset value.

In high-utilization mining environments, the engine at the center of large excavators and earthmoving equipment can shape daily production. Unplanned downtime or inconsistent performance can disrupt schedules, particularly at operations where equipment runs continuously under heavy load.

Across Africa and the Middle East, harsh conditions — including heat, dust, altitude and remote locations — intensify those challenges. For mining operators and original equipment manufacturers, engine selection has become a strategic decision that goes beyond power ratings to include durability, life-cycle performance and field support.

Mining trends increase focus on availability

Industry outlooks reflect a growing emphasis on productivity and resilience. Mining Indaba’s “Top 10 Mining Trends to Watch in 2026” cites pressure on mining companies to maximize asset utilization while maintaining operational discipline as demand grows for critical minerals used in the energy transition.

As mines look to extract more value from existing fleets, predictable performance and uptime are central to competitiveness. For OEMs supplying large-scale operations, engines that support continuous duty cycles while minimizing maintenance disruption can help meet production and safety expectations.

Why engine performance matters

For OEMs and mine operators, engine performance is not measured by output alone. In mining applications, engines must sustain high load factors over long operating hours and deliver consistent performance over time.

“Cummins-supported mining operations show engine availability has a direct impact on daily production and shift performance, particularly for large excavators at the center of the load-and-haul value chain,” said Bontle Mtshengu, mining leader for Cummins South Africa.

When reliability is compromised, excavators can struggle to maintain consistent dig rates, leading to lower bucket fill, longer cycle times and fewer tons moved per shift. Those disruptions can create downstream inefficiencies, including truck queuing, more idle time, higher fuel consumption and a higher cost per ton.

Even short, unplanned stoppages can disrupt shift flow, reduce mechanical utilization and force teams into reactive decision-making while increasing safety risk. Higher availability supports stable shift execution, predictable output and continuous material flow aligned to production targets.

Cummins supplies engines for mobile mining equipment through long-standing relationships with OEMs and operators. In Africa and the Middle East, the company supports that work with regional service and technical capabilities focused on maintaining equipment availability in demanding environments.

Within Cummins’ mining portfolio, the QSK38 engine is designed for continuous, high-load applications such as large hydraulic excavators and heavy earthmoving equipment. Operational experience indicates uptime on primary excavators is critical because any loss of availability can have knock-on effects across the broader fleet.

Durability and life-cycle performance

In mining environments, durability and life-cycle performance are as important as power output. Engines operate under sustained mechanical stress and abrasive conditions, often over long service lives where downtime carries significant cost.

The QSK38 is designed for longer life between overhauls and predictable maintenance intervals, which can improve availability and help maintenance teams plan work around production schedules instead of responding to unexpected disruptions.

Operational experience at high-utilization sites shows maintenance predictability supports production. When component life is consistent and service intervals are reliable, work can be aligned with shift schedules and production windows, minimizing disruption to load-and-haul cycles.

Inconsistent component life can reduce utilization, increase safety exposure and raise cost per ton. Longer maintenance intervals can allow critical equipment to remain productive for longer periods between service interventions.

Fuel efficiency and operating costs

Fuel efficiency remains a key factor in total cost of ownership, particularly for equipment operating over long shifts and extended duty cycles. Even incremental gains can translate into meaningful savings over thousands of operating hours.

The QSK38 uses high-pressure fuel delivery designed to support efficient combustion and smoother operation, helping operators manage operating costs without sacrificing performance.

Performance in demanding environments

Mining operations across Africa and the Middle East often require production-critical equipment to perform reliably across extended shifts and variable conditions. That puts a premium on engine robustness, disciplined maintenance planning and operating practices that support consistent availability.

“Field experience across African mining sites shows extreme heat, high dust concentrations, altitude variation and sustained high-load operation have the greatest impact on engine performance.” Mtshengu said.

If those conditions are not actively managed, they can accelerate wear and degrade performance.

To mitigate risk, mining teams may adjust maintenance strategies to reflect operating severity, increase cooling and filtration inspections and use condition-based monitoring tools such as telematics, oil analysis and digital diagnostics. Practices such as managing idle time and planning parts availability and workshop capacity can also support reliability and uptime.

Selected QSK38 configurations are offered in Tier 2 and Tier 4 emissions options, which can help align with regional requirements.

Supporting OEMs across the mining life cycle

For established OEMs, the QSK38 is a platform used in demanding mining applications and can support fleet standardization and long-term planning. For emerging OEMs and regional manufacturers, access to a supported engine platform can reduce development risk and help meet customer expectations.

As mining companies prioritize utilization, reliability and predictable operating costs, engines designed for mining duty cycles remain central to sustaining productivity. In that context, durability, serviceability and life-cycle performance can help enable modern mining operations.