Hitachi’s EX3600-6 Excavator Hits 100,000-Hour Milestone at Kumtor Gold Mine
In the rugged mountains of Kyrgyzstan, where temperatures can plunge to minus 40°C and operations take place more than 4,000 metres above sea level, one machine has achieved a feat of endurance few can match.
Hitachi Construction Machinery’s EX3600-6 ultra-large hydraulic excavator has clocked an astounding 100,000 hours of operation at the Kumtor Gold Mine, a milestone that underscores the reliability, durability, and engineering excellence of the brand’s mining machinery.
A Celebration of Reliability and Partnership
To commemorate this landmark, Eurasian Machinery LLP, the authorised Hitachi Construction Machinery dealer for Central Asia, hosted a ceremony at the Kumtor Gold Mine. Over 70 attendees joined the event, including key figures such as Kumtor Gold Chairman of the Board of Directors Bolotbek Idirisov, Deputy Mine Director Tynchtyk Mokeev, Eurasian Machinery President M. Kemal Cetinelli, and Hitachi Construction Machinery Vice President and Executive Officer Eiji Fukunishi.
Eurasian Machinery has been a critical partner since the delivery of the first EX3600-6 units to Kumtor in 2012. Its service teams have worked tirelessly to ensure seamless operations, often stationed at the mine to provide 24-hour maintenance and technical support. This close collaboration has enabled the excavators to operate efficiently despite the extreme environmental challenges. Over the years, Kumtor’s own maintenance teams have built deep expertise, supported by Eurasian’s fast-response service network to ensure maximum uptime.
“Reaching 100,000 operating hours in one of the world’s harshest mining environments speaks volumes about the robustness of Hitachi’s engineering and the dedication of our local service teams,” said a Hitachi Construction Machinery spokesperson. “It’s a testament to the enduring partnership between Hitachi, Eurasian Machinery, and Kumtor Gold.”
Powering One of the World’s Largest Open-Pit Mines
The Kumtor Gold Mine, located in the southeast of Lake Issyk-Kul, is among the world’s largest open-pit gold mines and a vital component of Kyrgyzstan’s economy. Gold production represents a cornerstone of the nation’s mining industry, which boasts over 40 significant deposits across the country. The mine’s high-altitude environment places extraordinary stress on equipment, making reliability and performance critical.
Since its introduction in 2012, the EX3600-6 has been one of Kumtor’s workhorses. The mine operates five of these machines, each designed to withstand the immense physical strain of large-scale excavation. The 100,000-hour milestone represents not just a mechanical triumph but also a benchmark for operational excellence and long-term investment in sustainable mining.
Designed for Durability
The Hitachi EX3600-6 stands as one of the most powerful hydraulic excavators in the mining sector. Built for large-scale operations, it features a 1,940 kW (2,603 HP) engine, a bucket capacity of up to 22 cubic metres, and an advanced hydraulic system for precise control and efficient fuel consumption. But it’s the structural integrity, heavy-duty undercarriage, reinforced boom, and high-tensile components, that allows it to thrive in such punishing conditions.
The machine’s resilience in the Kyrgyz highlands is a reflection of Hitachi’s global design philosophy: to create equipment that can endure the extremes while maintaining performance and productivity. Achieving 100,000 hours without major failures demonstrates not only superior build quality but also meticulous maintenance practices and proactive service support.
“The EX3600-6’s longevity at Kumtor is proof that high-quality design, combined with excellent after-sales support, delivers unmatched value for mining operations,” commented Eurasian Machinery President M. Kemal Cetinelli.
Central Asia’s Mining Powerhouse
Central Asia remains one of the most resource-rich regions in the world. With abundant reserves of oil, natural gas, copper, iron ore, uranium, and rare earth elements, mining has become the backbone of many national economies. In Kyrgyzstan, gold mining plays a pivotal role in GDP growth, job creation, and regional development.
Kumtor, in particular, has long been a flagship project showcasing how modern equipment and international partnerships can drive efficiency and sustainability. The region’s challenging geography, remote, high-altitude, and climatically extreme, demands world-class technology and support systems. Hitachi Construction Machinery and Eurasian Machinery have proven to be up to the challenge, ensuring that mining operations continue to meet production targets while prioritising safety and sustainability.
The Importance of Service and Support
A mining machine’s performance is only as strong as the support behind it. Eurasian Machinery’s on-site presence at Kumtor has been a decisive factor in achieving such a milestone. For over a decade, dedicated technicians have been stationed permanently at the mine, performing preventive maintenance, component replacements, and real-time diagnostics.
Hitachi’s service philosophy emphasises lifecycle value, focusing on preventive maintenance and continuous monitoring rather than reactive repairs. This approach reduces downtime, optimises productivity, and extends the life of critical components. The EX3600-6’s 100,000-hour achievement reflects the success of this holistic model, integrating high-quality engineering, skilled service personnel, and robust logistics.
Hitachi’s Global Vision and the LANDCROS Concept
As part of its long-term growth strategy, Hitachi Construction Machinery has been strengthening its global value chain through parts and services, remanufacturing, rentals, and used-equipment businesses. The company’s LANDCROS concept symbolises this vision, a promise to deliver comprehensive, sustainable solutions that help customers maximise asset value and efficiency.
Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Hitachi Construction Machinery employs roughly 26,000 people worldwide. Its consolidated sales revenue for the 2024 fiscal year reached 1,371.3 billion yen, with overseas sales accounting for 84% of total revenue. These figures underscore the company’s global footprint and growing influence in the mining and construction sectors.
“We’re not just a machinery manufacturer; we’re a solutions provider,” explained a company executive. “Our goal is to deliver reliability across every phase of the machine’s lifecycle, from design to operation to refurbishment.”
Sustainability Through Longevity
In an age where sustainability has become a defining industry theme, longevity is perhaps the most underrated form of environmental responsibility. A machine that lasts 100,000 hours avoids unnecessary resource consumption and emissions tied to new equipment manufacturing. Through durability and repairability, Hitachi’s machines indirectly contribute to greener mining operations by minimising waste and reducing lifecycle emissions.
Kumtor Gold’s continued investment in long-serving Hitachi machines also speaks to a broader economic logic: reliability translates to lower total cost of ownership, fewer operational disruptions, and a stronger return on capital equipment.
A Tale of Endurance
The story of the EX3600-6 at Kumtor is more than a tale of endurance, it’s a reflection of collaboration, technological innovation, and commitment to excellence in some of the harshest working conditions on earth. As mining across Central Asia expands, Hitachi Construction Machinery and Eurasian Machinery LLP are poised to play an even greater role in supporting sustainable growth through advanced, dependable equipment and comprehensive lifecycle solutions.
“The success at Kumtor demonstrates what’s possible when engineering quality meets dedicated service,” said Hitachi Vice President Eiji Fukunishi. “We’ll continue to support our partners in achieving long-term operational success.”
A Legacy of Strength and Reliability
The 100,000-hour milestone is more than a statistic, it’s a testament to what can be achieved through perseverance, partnership, and precision engineering. For Hitachi Construction Machinery, it marks another chapter in its mission to empower the world’s most demanding industries with technology that stands the test of time.
