HD Hyundai Partnering India’s Mining Progress
As India intensifies its focus on infrastructure and mineral self-reliance, the mining equipment industry finds itself at the center of a massive transformation. In an exclusive interview to CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES, SHARWAN AGNIHOTRI, HEAD OF MINING & EXPORT BUSINESS, HD HYUNDAI CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT INDIA, shares his perspective on market dynamics, product innovation, digitalization, and the company’s vision for the future of mining.
Give a brief overview of the mining equipment industry, market dynamics, latest trends, and the sector challenges.
India’s mining equipment industry is experiencing rapid growth, fueled by national goals for coal production, mineral extraction, and infrastructure projects. As the government approves new coal blocks and speeds up mineral auctions, the demand for heavy-duty mining machinery has surged—particularly in the coal, iron ore, limestone, and bauxite sectors.
At the same time, the industry faces structural challenges. Mining terrain remains demanding, machine downtime can be expensive, and the market stays very cost-sensitive. There is also increasing pressure to meet sustainability goals and adopt digital technologies. Fleet owners are no longer just seeking machines; they want comprehensive, intelligent, and support-driven solutions that boost efficiency and lower lifecycle costs.
Detail us about the cutting-edge technology in your machines in terms of telematics, smartness, and IoT. What are the USP’s of your machines?
The evolution of mining machinery is increasingly defined by its ability to collect, analyze, and act upon data. At HD Hyundai, we have embedded this principle across our mining equipment range. Our excavators are equipped with two advanced telematics platforms, Hi-TRACK, used in our SMART Plus series, and Hi-MATE, deployed in the HX series.
These systems go far beyond basic GPS tracking. They provide a 360-degree view of machine health, operational behaviour, fuel consumption, idle time, utilization patterns, and geofencing. This allows mining companies to make smarter decisions on fleet deployment, fuel budgeting, and maintenance scheduling.
Hi-MATE’s predictive diagnostics capability helps avoid unplanned breakdowns by issuing real-time alerts and fault codes. This enables service teams to intervene early, avoiding costly downtime and extending machine life. For high-capacity mines with large fleets operating in remote areas, this kind of machine intelligence translates directly into cost savings and project reliability.
Additionally, features like load-based fuel optimization, customizable engine RPM settings, and multi-mode operation give operators the flexibility to align machine output with site-specific demands, improving both fuel economy and per-ton productivity.
Factors such as safety, operator comfort, and ease of operation are crucial in mining equipment. What steps have you undertaken to provide the same?
While raw machine power is critical in mining, operator efficiency and well-being are equally vital—especially in multi-shift, high-risk environments. At HD Hyundai, we follow a human-centered design philosophy, focusing on improving every touchpoint an operator has with the machine.
Our cabins are among the most operator-friendly in the industry. They are fitted with low-vibration mounts, superior noise insulation, deluxe suspension seats, and advanced climate control systems to ensure comfort even during long shifts in extreme conditions. Intuitive joystick layouts and multi-functional digital displays minimize learning curves and operator fatigue.
On the safety front, all our machines come with features like:
- ROPS-certified cabins (Roll-Over Protective Structure)
- Rearview cameras and LED work lamps for better visibility
- Fire suppression readiness
- Emergency shut-off systems
This focus on ergonomics and safety has resulted in not just better operational efficiency, but also improved operator morale, retention, and training time. In mining, where human-machine interaction is continuous and intense, these enhancements can drive significant long-term productivity gains.
Training or skilling programs undertaken by your company to ensure maximum productivity.
The pace of equipment deployment in India’s mining sector often outpaces the availability of skilled personnel. HD Hyundai addresses this challenge through a mix of structured programs and on-ground initiatives.
Our flagship skilling platform, “Takshashila,” delivers a progressive training curriculum for technicians and service engineers. It begins with foundational knowledge of machine systems—engine, hydraulics, electrical—and advances to diagnostics, troubleshooting, and telematics analysis. Each session blends classroom instruction with hands-on practice to ensure deep skill absorption.
For operators, we conduct quarterly training camps and engagement events like Parts Melas. These go beyond basic product orientation, offering practical insights into safe operation, fuel-efficient techniques, preventive maintenance, and seasonal challenges like monsoon or winter operations. Topics also include fluid management and emergency readiness.
By investing in the skills of both customer teams and dealer personnel, we are building a support ecosystem that is capable, confident, and future-ready.
To what extent are aftermarket services a strategic differentiator?
In the mining sector, machine uptime is a critical business lever. Every hour of equipment downtime can result in significant production loss and cost overruns, particularly in high-throughput operations. Recognizing this, HD Hyundai has built a robust and strategically integrated aftermarket ecosystem that strengthens our value proposition in the mining equipment space.
We offer a comprehensive suite of support programs designed specifically for demanding site conditions, including:
- Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC)
- Full Maintenance Contracts (FMC)
- 24×7 emergency service support in high-intensity mining zones
- On-site deployment of service engineers and mobile service units
To ensure rapid service execution, we’ve established a multi-layered parts supply network, supported by regional warehouses and dealer stock points strategically located near major mining belts. This system ensures quick access to essential components and minimizes equipment idle time. A key enabler in our service strategy is the integration of advanced telematics platforms—Hi-MATE and Hi-TRACK. These systems provide real-time machine insights, allowing our service teams to perform predictive diagnostics and plan interventions well in advance. This proactive approach helps reduce unplanned breakdowns, extend equipment life cycles, and improve overall fleet availability. Our aftermarket framework is built to deliver sustained machine performance, optimize total cost of ownership (TCO), and ensure that our customers meet their production targets without interruption.
Your strategy to play in a price-sensitive market.
Our value to customers is based on the total cost of ownership (TCO). Features like multi-mode operation, economy settings, and fuel-efficient hydraulics help customers reduce operational expenditure without sacrificing output.
We also offer tailored configurations, so customers can choose the right machine based on application and budget.
Tell us about your manufacturing facilities and dealer network in India
Our manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune, is a state-of-the-art plant equipped with advanced automation, robotic welding, and in-line quality control systems. Each machine undergoes rigorous testing under simulated mining conditions to ensure it is deployment-ready from Day One.
This facility serves the domestic market and also acts as an export hub for regions such as the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Supporting our manufacturing capabilities is a strong nationwide network, comprising 38 dealership head offices and over 200 touchpoints across India. We maintain a focused presence in mining-intensive states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana.
Several of our mining dealerships are equipped with:
- Skilled manpower trained in mining-specific applications
- Dedicated training bays
- Mobile service vans to support deep-mine and remote site operations
This wide-reaching network ensures fast service response, better parts availability, and reliable on-ground support—critical for maintaining uptime in demanding mining conditions.
Emerging trends in the equipment finance and rentals in mining equipment. To what extent does cost influence consumer behavior?
The mining industry is slowly but steadily embracing the ‘pay-as-you-use’ model, particularly for projects with uncertain timelines or for contractors operating under tight budgets.
HD Hyundai supports this shift by working with leasing partners and finance institutions to offer customized rental plans, operating leases, and low upfront cost models. This makes high-end equipment like the HX Series accessible even to mid-scale contractors and emerging players.
Our machines are especially suited to rentals due to their low breakdown rate, real-time monitoring features, and simplified maintenance, making them ideal for short-term, high-efficiency deployment.
What sort of support or policy changes from the government would you like to propel the growth of the mining sector?
India’s mining sector holds immense potential to contribute to economic growth, energy security, and industrial development. With vast reserves of coal, iron ore, bauxite, and other critical minerals, the country is well-positioned to become a global mining powerhouse. However, realizing this potential depends heavily on a stable, efficient, and progressive policy framework—one that addresses structural bottlenecks and creates an enabling environment for sustained private investment and technology adoption.
While the government has taken commendable steps—such as the introduction of commercial coal mining, digitization of clearances, and a focus on self-reliance in mineral sourcing—several key interventions are essential to accelerate the sector’s transformation.
Future outlook for the mining industry and from a company perspective.
As India sets ambitious targets for coal and mineral production, the mining industry is gradually moving toward a future shaped by digitally enabled, energy-efficient, and productivity-focused equipment. Technologies such as automation, electrification, and data analytics are expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping mining operations.
At HD Hyundai, we’ve aligned our product strategy with these evolving expectations. Our HX Series excavators are designed to deliver consistent performance in demanding conditions, with smart features that support better fuel efficiency, machine monitoring, and uptime management.
The HX Series reflects our commitment to supporting customers with equipment that balances strength, reliability, and intelligent operation. As the industry transitions toward more data-driven and sustainable practices, our focus remains on being more than just an equipment provider. We aim to be a reliable partner in helping our customers achieve long-term productivity and operational efficiency across their mining projects.
