Croatia-based Dok-Ing, the manufacturer of the XLP Diesel Dozer, which has been widely used in South Africa’s deep platinum mines for a number of years, has developed a new Ultra Low Profile solution. The new machine has dimensions of 3,146 x 1,600 mm and a height of only 58 cm which puts the machine in the ULP equipment class. Dok-Ing states that its new offering is the only machine currently available in this size category.

New technical solutions to further enhance operating performance have also been incorporated into the new ULP dozer. The tracks enable the model to work on slopes of over 30° allowing working and driving flexibility on all types of mining surfaces that has not been possible to date. New systems have also been used to manage the built-in batteries to ensure safe operation, constant power and power consumption control. The low power consumption means it is capable of a working capacity of 700 t/h of ore without recharging. The recharging of the batteries allows up to 2.5 h of use and is conducted using a Dok-Ing high speed charger. The ULP dozer prototype has already been successfully tested in the South African platinum mines and is stated as having confirmed the expectations of the Dok-Ing research and development team. It has fulfilled the set criteria and, with some minor modifications, has now successfully completed the prototype phase. As such, the regular production of the dozer has already commenced, with two new machines prepared for delivery and several other units still in production.

The company believes that the successful completion of the ULP dozer project is just the start of a new generation of ULP equipment whose basic characteristics are their small size, low power consumption, reduced environmental impact with no exhaust gases, and higher productivity with a resulting increase in platinum production profitability. Dok-Ing has also started the construction of other ULP class mining machinery of which ULP bolter and drill rig prototypes will soon expected be completed.