Komatsu triples US repair hub as AI fuels copper demand

Japanese construction and mining equipment maker Komatsu is expanding its maintenance facility in Arizona, tripling its size to support growing copper mining operations in the United States. The move comes as demand for copper rises sharply, driven largely by the build-out of artificial intelligence data centers and electrical infrastructure. The expanded hub, located near Tucson, will service giant haul trucks and other mining machinery used at copper mines across the region. Komatsu said the larger facility will allow faster repairs and reduce downtime for miners, who are racing to increase output. Copper is essential for power grids, wiring, and electronics. AI data centers require massive amounts of electricity, which in turn demands more copper for new transmission lines and equipment. Mining companies are responding by expanding operations, but they need reliable maintenance support to keep machines running. Komatsu’s investment reflects a broader trend: industrial firms are repositioning to serve the resource boom tied to digital technologies. The company did not disclose the exact cost of the expansion but said it expects the facility to be fully operational by next year.