In a record-setting development in India’s mining and construction equipment sector, an all-women team from Larsen & Toubro’s Construction & Mining Machinery (L&T CMB) vertical has commissioned a mammoth 100-ton dump truck at Tata Steel’s Noamundi iron ore mine in Jharkhand.
This is the first instance in India where a machine of such scale and complexity has been assembled, tested and commissioned entirely by women technicians. The commissioning marks a significant milestone in L&T’s ongoing efforts to foster gender inclusivity and empower women in traditionally male-dominated industries.
The Komatsu HD785-7, a 1200-horsepower dump truck that the all-women team has commissioned, is among the largest in its class and features advanced systems such as variable horsepower control, automatic retard speed control and KOMTRAX Plus telematics.The commissioning was carried out between July 28th and August 2nd, in just 6 days, with the team overcoming operational challenges posed by heavy monsoon rains. From axle mounting to hydraulic integration, the build was executed with precision and professionalism. The engine was fired up on 1 August, and complete systems were integrated by 2 August.