Chinese heavy equipment manufacturer Zoomlion has expanded its mining machinery business and strengthened international operations, having recorded a growth rate of 57% year-on-year in its mining machinery revenue in the first half of the year.

Overall, its international revenue grew by 12% year-on-year to account for 57% of groupwide revenue, which is testament to the company's aggressive international expansion strategy.

Zoomlion is developing its mining machinery business across three major global equipment markets, with its product portfolio covering excavation, loading, haulage, crushing and screening.

The company's flagship models include the ZE4000G, a 400-t mining excavator, and the ZTE520 hybrid electric-drive mining truck, with a rated payload of 300 t.

Zoomlion stemmed from its predecessor Changsha Construction Machinery Research Institute, which in 1987 received a State Council award for developing a complete openpit mining system capable of handling 10-million tonnes a year.

The company attributes its mining machinery business growth to its focus on lowering equipment operating costs through continual product development, real-world testing and new technologies.

In the first half of the year, Zoomlion research teams visited more than 150 mines worldwide to identify and address various technical challenges and incorporate field findings into product development.

"Our pure-electric products can cut costs by more than 50%, and hybrid models can improve profitability by 15% or more, helping mines move toward more efficient, higher-quality operations. We calculate operating costs across the full equipment lifecycle so customers can see the economic benefit," says Zoomlion mining machinery deputy GM Wu Yuanfeng.

Electrified mining equipment is a growing focus for Zoomlion, with its hybrid mining trucks being able to cut fuel consumption by up to 40% compared with traditional mining trucks, while its 100-t-class battery-electric mining trucks have logged more than 8 000 hours of stable operation.

The ZT160HEV hybrid mining truck, in particular, can operate autonomously for up to 18 hours.

Zoomlion also uses automation and digital technology to improve mine productivity, having deployed autonomous trucks, remotely operated excavators and systems to coordinate mining fleets.

To support its international business, Zoomlion has established more than 30 primary business hubs, about 530 secondary and tertiary outlets and more than 300 spare parts warehouses.

The company says growth in South America, Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa and East Asia outpaced its overall international growth rate in the first half of the year.