[Job Story] Extreme Heat, Deep Cold: Komatsu HD785 in the World’s Toughest Mines

Across Two Continents, Two Women Count on Komatsu’s HD785 to Keep Hauling in Harsh Mines

Ghana and Northern Sweden sit at opposite ends of the thermometer, but they demand the same thing from mining equipment: keep moving. Heat, ice, unpredictable ground and long shifts make these sites anything but forgiving.

Two operators, Ruth Ofori and Caroline Landström, work thousands of kilometres apart, yet they are facing a similar test: hauling day after day in some of the toughest operating conditions in mining. At the centre of that routine is the same machine, Komatsu’s HD785 rigid dump truck, a high-capacity rigid dump truck built for large-scale mining operations, engineered to perform reliably in extreme climates and demanding conditions.

A Working Day at Ayanfuri

At the Ayanfuri gold mine in Ghana, haulage runs through heat that often reaches 33-34 degrees. Dust hangs in the air, the ground is rarely smooth, and vibration and long operating hours are part of the normal shift. In that setting, what matters is whether a truck can stay consistent without wearing down the operator. Cab cooling, clear sightlines and camera coverage can make long cycles easier to manage, while assistance features help reduce workload when fatigue starts to creep in later in the day.

The HD785’s cab layout is designed around the operator, with air conditioning helping to keep the driving environment stable during hot, dusty shifts. For Ruth Ofori, that comfort matters because it supports concentration and consistency behind the wheel, even when conditions outside the truck are tough.

Ofori, an operator at Rocksure International Limited, also points to the personal qualities she believes are essential for the job, especially in a sector that is still largely male.

“Strength, emotional intelligence, discipline and perseverance are the core values needed to succeed in this male-dominated field.”

She says.

She adds that switching into mining from an office role was a major step, but one she has not regretted:

“Venturing into a predominantly male industry was a high-risk decision, but leaving my office job as a Financial Analyst proved to be extremely rewarding. I’m passionate about encouraging other women to consider this industry. No matter where you find yourself, these skills are transferable.”

Hauling Through an Arctic Winter in Northern Sweden

Thousands of kilometres from Ghana, the same truck is dealing with the opposite problem: cold, darkness and winter roads. At a copper mine in northern Sweden, temperatures can fall to around minus 20 degrees Celsius and mid-winter daylight can shrink to just a few hours. With long operating cycles and a large site footprint, the job puts steady pressure on equipment, and it puts even more emphasis on visibility and control.

Caroline Landström has been operating the HD785 at the site for the past three and a half years. She is also direct about what she wants to prove on the job:

“Many think only men can operate these machines, but I’m eager to show that women can do it too. The conditions we work in are vast, but it’s something I’m used to, having lived in Northern Sweden all my life.”

She says.

In winter, the practical challenge is staying aware of what is happening around the truck when light is limited and the environment is constantly changing. Features that support sightlines and camera coverage help operators manage tight areas and traffic on haul roads, reducing blind spots when visibility is at its worst.

About the machine

At fleet level, the HD785-8 is a 92.2-tonne class rigid dump truck. In Europe it is available in an EU Stage V-compliant version, and it can be connected to Komtrax 5.0 and Komtrax Plus for equipment monitoring. For downhill sections and speed management, the truck uses wet multiple-disc brakes on all four wheels, with braking and retarding performance intended to support controlled operation on grades.

[Job Story] Extreme Heat, Deep Cold: Komatsu HD785 in the World’s Toughest Mines published on The HeavyQuip Magazine.