Mining sector in Brazil adopts heavy construction equipment for support operations

The Brazilian mining sector is increasingly integrating heavy construction equipment, often referred to as the ‘yellow line,’ into its support operations. Machines such as hydraulic excavators, crawler tractors, wheel loaders, and motor graders—traditionally used in heavy infrastructure projects—are being deployed for strategic mining support tasks.

These machines are now utilized for opening and maintaining access roads, earthmoving, drainage, complementary loading, pile maintenance, and cleaning operational areas. This shift allows mining companies to reserve their largest, most specialized mining equipment for primary extraction tasks, thereby increasing the availability of the main fleet and reducing overall operational costs.

According to Paulo Torres, Vice President of the Construction Equipment Division at Komatsu, the industry is adopting a more integrated approach to maximize productivity and robustness. The adoption of this equipment is further supported by technological advancements, including telemetry, remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, and teleoperation, which enhance control and reduce worker exposure to high-risk areas.