Two 130 t BELAZ trucks have been delivered to the Mikhailovsky GOK iron ore mine (part of Metalloinvest). The acquisition of these heavy-duty dump trucks is a continuation of Metalloinvest’s large scale programme to update its mining and transport machinery and increase production efficiency.
The cabs of the new vehicles contain all essential conditions to ensure drivers’ comfort and safety. All mechanisms are equipped with sensors to inform drivers about any changes to internal systems, and new LED technology enables drivers to work in poor visibility. Sergey Kretov, Managing Director of Mikhailovsky GOK, commented: “Upgrading our fleet of mining and transport machinery enables the enterprise to ramp up capacities and significantly increase production efficiency. The new machinery will facilitate the continued implementation of the 2017 production programme and allows us to enter 2018 with high expectations for the new year.”
The drivers of the new vehicles take part in setting up and running in the trucks, which enables them to evaluate their technical capabilities and make use of them in future work. Vladimir Rybak, Rock Mass Transportation Driver, Mikhailovsky GOK Vehicle Transportation Department, noted: “Starting with unloading and setting up the vehicles, it is vital for drivers to go over everything with their own hands, in order to get to know all of the components and power units. The trucks are constantly being improved and equipped with modern systems, so drivers need to put in every last bolt.”
Two 130 t BELAZ trucks have already been delivered to Mikhailovsky GOK earlier this year, as well as four vehicles with low bearing capacity, two locomotives, and two drilling machines. An additional 130 t BELAZ truck and two locomotives are expected to be delivered before the end of 2017. An investment programme to upgrade the equipment in the mining and transport fleet is also being implemented at Lebedinsky GOK (part of Metalloinvest). From 2014-2016, around 300 basic vehicles were acquired for Lebedinsky GOK and Mikhailovsky GOK: 15 locomotives, 232 dump cars, 11 heavy-duty dump trucks, 11 excavators and 5 drilling machines. An additional two excavators and a heavy-duty vehicle have been delivered to the enterprises as part of rental contracts.