The new electric-drive Komatsu PC9000-12 is the largest hydraulic excavator in the brand’s storied history, capable of moving a massive, 80 tons of material, per pass – at a rate of more than 8,000 tons per hour of operation. Following a successful deployment at Suncor’s Fort Hills oil sands mine in Alberta, Canada (boo) last May, Komatsu’s two million lb. monster excavator is now available for global sales and deliveries. The company says the new machine will help large-scale mining operations hit higher productivity, efficiency, and cost per ton goals while delivering the performance, and reliability they’ve come to expect from the brand’s previous PC8000 line. Designed to operate in the world’s toughest mining environments, the PC9000-12 can be configured with grid-connected electric drive for maximum power with minimal emissions, noise, and vibrations. “The PC9000-12 sets a new benchmark for global surface mining operations,” explains Peter Buhles, Komatsu Vice President, Sales and Service. “With its versatile configurations – including face shovel and backhoe, as well as diesel and electric drive options – we can efficiently serve …