A 3,298 t Bucyrus 1570W used dragline, valued at over ZAR1billion new, has been sold in South Africa by Anglo Coal for a sum of over ZAR173 million to Glencore. The dragline was sold via an online mining auction conducted by mining auctioneering company Clear Asset, and was significant as it had been over 15 years since such a machine was sold in the country. The asset was sold during a cleanup of redundant stock. Nicknamed “Bigger Digger” the dragline has previously worked at Kleinkopje 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.
Historically, large draglines such as this can take up to four years to secure based on the delivery schedule and the sheer scale of transport logistics. In addition, there is currently up to a two year waiting list for such a machine anyway. To transport a dragline of this size internationally, without considering reassembly at its new destination, costs approximately ZAR90 million as a start, however, this particular dragline will stay in South Africa and be walked to its new destination, at a speed of 100 m per hour. Clear Asset specialises in mining asset disposal on behalf of major mines including Anglo Platinum, Anglo Coal, Lonmin, Glencore, Anglo Gold Ashanti, Diesel Power amongst others. The next online mining auction is set to take place on February 11, where a wide selection of mining assets will be offered. Following that sale, an additional auction is scheduled for February 27, 2014.