Sandvik says it continues to invest in South Africa by setting up local manufacturing capabilities to build high quality load and haul equipment close to its customers. In addition, Sandvik is introducing Sandvik LH115L, a reliable and robust 5 t low profile loader designed for demanding African conditions.
Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology has almost 70 years’ history of servicing the South African market. During this time, it says it has become well-acquainted with the challenges facing its mining industry and understands the important modernising role that private investment and local manufacturing can play in extending mine life, skills development and employment and the achievement of sustainable, inclusive growth.
Sandvik says it has identified the opportunity to support local industry through local manufacture of Sandvik products and localisation of machines, supporting both employment and local suppliers. The organisation has therefore decided to establish its own local manufacturing facility for the complete production of Sandvik LH115L 5 t LHDs for the African market. This highlights Sandvik’s commitment to meaningful contribution to the South African economy.
In addition to the LH115L, Sandvik’s Product Area Load and Haul is bringing its global standards and processes in high quality manufacturing to this new facility. “We are creating knowledge transfer to set up the proven processes and systems that we already have in our other manufacturing locations around the world so that we can be in a position to add other Sandvik products to this manufacturing site when needed”, says Mats Eriksson, President for Product Area Load and Haul at Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology.
Having made the decision to invest, the South African manufacturing facility began prototype operations in July 2017 and will initially produce LH115L machine. “Facility operations will follow a staged approach, with capacity ramping up based on customer demand,” says Steve Greisiger, Production Manager Jet Park, Product Area Load and Haul.
Sandvik’s current overall workforce totals 1,400, based at the regional hub in Jet Park, seven main branches and multiple mines and workshops across the country. “This latest local manufacturing facility represents an exciting new chapter in the company’s development and underscores our desire to play a part in the skills development and local manufacturing capabilities,” concludes Simon Andrews, Vice President, Sales Area Southern Africa, Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology.
The Sandvik LH115L 5 t low profile loader is a new product that Sandvik will be launching in South Africa. Both cost-efficient and durable, the loader has been developed and optimised for local mining conditions. It is also the first product to be manufactured locally, using local suppliers, locally-sourced components and local employees, with training programs in place.
The Sandvik LH115L machine builds on the proven capabilities of its predecessor, the EJC115L, with the latest safety features. “The new LH115L loader has high availability and is easy to maintain, resulting in optimised lifetime operational costs. In addition, Sandvik provides the full low profile portfolio offering of underground drills and bolters to ensure matching sets of equipment.”
The Sandvik LH115L complies with the latest safety requirements and, with its powerful drivetrain, robust frame designed for low profile operations and simplified electronics, is optimised to provide high levels of availability and unequalled productivity in the harshest African conditions.