Ultimate reliability helps Terrafame mine
The largest fleet of Hitachi mining equipment in Europe has proved to be one of the vital ingredients in the success of Terrafame’s nickel-cobalt-zinc mine in Sotkamo, Finland
Digging, loading and hauling
The site at Kuusilampi is home to Europe’s most significant nickel and cobalt ore reserves, as well as three Hitachi ultra-large excavators and 16 rigid dump trucks. The reliable orange machines are being used to dig, load and haul the total designed mining volume of 52 million tonnes per year.
“With rain, winter and hard frost, our working conditions change all year round. Rotator and Hitachi have met our challenges, and high utilisation and availability are being achieved.”
Antti Lakkala, Terrafame’s Head of Production – Mining
On-site support
To achieve its targets, Terrafame has been strengthening its relationships with Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV (HCME) and its authorised dealer in Finland, Rotator, since 2015. The first Hitachi rigid dump trucks and ultra-large excavators were delivered to the mine’s previous operator in 2008. Rotator’s on-site parts and technical support team have been responsible for maintenance and service ever since. Today’s Terrafame fleet includes:
- two EX3600-7 excavators (delivered in 2022 and 2023, now with 20,000 and 14,000 hours respectively)
- one EX3600-6 excavator (2018, over 40,000 hours)
- eight EH3500AC-3 rigid dump trucks (2022-2024, 11,000-19,000 hours)
- eight EH3500ACII rigid dump trucks (2009-2017, 52,000-82,000 hours).
Longstanding partnership
The success of the after-sales operation provided by the manufacturer and dealer is evident from the collective availability of the current and retired machines: the five ultra-large EX3600 excavators have recorded over 215,000 hours; while the 21 rigid dump trucks have surpassed the one-million-hour mark!
Thanks to Rotator’s long-term maintenance plan, parts can be ordered up to 18 months in advance for certain components and the dealer provides the necessary technical support with a team of 20 personnel. It also uses Hitachi’s remote monitoring and reporting solution, ConSite, for downloading a monthly utilisation report that monitors the productivity and usability of each machine.
“The manufacturer’s maintenance planning is good, and we follow their instructions. We have been working together over ten years and this has brought know-how on both sides, as well as trust through our cooperation.”
Antti Lakkala, Terrafame’s Head of Production – Mining
Safe and comfortable
One of Terrafame’s most experienced operators is Kosti Jokelainen, who has driven the EH trucks since 2015: “I think the new cab is more spacious and larger than the previous truck. It feels more comfortable with being less cramped, and safer with the stronger pillars. The gear lever and the dump lever are better, much more convenient, and easy to use – and the most useful feature is the retarder button.”
Excavator operator Aki Anttonen, who has worked with Terrafame for ten years, says: “The cab is very comfortable in the new machines, even after 12 hours of operation. The most important feature I like about my working environment is that it is quiet and no dust can get in there. Filling the bucket is easy and there are some differences from the old machine, such as the hydraulics, and the digging power is significantly higher.”
Trust through cooperation
In 2025, the Kolmisoppi deposit – part of Terrafame’s wider resource base – was granted strategic project status under the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) and there are plans to open this deposit by 2028. Together with the successful cooperation with Rotator, and the proven high utilisation, reliability and uptime of the Hitachi fleet, the future looks bright for the integrated mine and battery chemicals plant.
“I operate an excavator the size of an apartment block, the best that money can buy!”
Aki Anttonen, EX3600-7 operator, Terrafame
