On November 28 2013, a number of Anglo Coal mining assets will be auctioned in an online process by Clear Asset including a 3,298 t Bucyrus 1570W dragline which when new is valued at over $100 million. The last time a large second-hand dragline was sold in South Africa was over 15 years ago, and the last time a new machine of this calibre was sold was in South Africa was in the mid 1990s. Ariella Kuper of Clear Asset comments: ‘’It goes without saying that a machine of this size and power is rarely sold. Not surprisingly, the machine located at Anglo Coal Kleinkopje Colliery has already attracted strong interest from major mining houses both locally and abroad who prefer to relocate the dragline to their operation than purchase new.’’
Clear Assets believes that the timing bodes well as mines are looking to restructure for more efficient operations and to free up working capital. “Given the waiting list, cost and time to deployment, this auction presents an excellent opportunity to own a well maintained and operating dragline,’’ said Kuper. While online mining auctioneering company Clear Asset is only just over a year old, it says Anglo Thermal Coal had selected it to sell the dragline due to its “consistent online sales performance, global outreach and high level of industry knowledge.” In addition to their regular monthly auctions of mining equipment, the company has sold a marine vessel and a mine monorail in the last two months.
The Bucyrus 1570W dragline, nicknamed “Bigger Digger” located at Kleinkopje operates 24/7 and is able to reach depths of 51.81 m, with a boom length of 94.49 m, a dumping height of 43.53 m and a bucket size of 59.63 m3. Its last major shutdown was November 2003. During the auction, bidders will also be able choose from equipment from a further six Anglo Thermal Coal mines, along with commercial vehicles from Anglo Gold Ashanti and various underground and generic mining assets from Anglo American Platinum’s Union South, Rustenburg Shared services and Mogolakwena as well as ADTs from contract miner Diesel Power. Additional assets include a Cat 930 and Cat 994 wheel loaders, P&H shovels, three Voestalpine (Sandvik) continuous miners, a Cat D10R dozer, Cat 824-C and Komatsu D375-3 dozers, a Komatsu GD825 grader, a Cat 226 skid steer loader and various spares and Toyota commercial vehicles.
