The main mining truck fleet for Adani Australia is now under assembly in Mackay, preparing for work at the Carmichael coal mine. Carmichael Mine and Rail Project Director David Boshoff said the first of more than 24 trucks were being wired, bolted and welded together ready for their 300 km journey to the mine site. “When the trucks arrive at site and pass final commissioning they will be put straight into service hauling earth as part of the mine construction works that are already underway,” Boshoff said. “And once the mine is operational they will perform the critical role of moving material from the mine pit to the rail network for transport and export. “So these vehicles will be a big part of the Carmichael Project over their lifetime, and their delivery is another exciting milestone for the whole project team.”
The fleet machine details have not officially been given but the images and published videos appear to show electric drive Caterpillar 796 AC (327 t capacity) models being assembled. Loading tools wise, Adani has also released a video showing its first excavator being assembled at Carmichael which is a hydraulic Liebherr R996 backhoe. The 600 t mining excavator is now complete and ready for work. The excavator was built on-site over an eight week period. Boshoff said it would take a team of about 40 men and women up to 10 weeks to assemble each truck.
“These trade qualified HV electricians, diesel fitters and auto electricians are fine examples of the world-class expertise we have in regional Queensland to support our State’s mining industry and we are proud to be tapping into their skills to help build our mine and rail project,” he said. “This significant pipeline of work for Mackay is part of the more than A$500 million in awarded contracts that have been shared across towns and cities from Toowoomba to Townsville. New positions and work packages continue to roll out and job seekers and suppliers are encouraged to register their interest using the jobs portal on the Adani Australia website.”
Resource Industry Network General Manager, Adrienne Rourke, said the assembly work was a demonstration of the national and international capability of Mackay’s mining equipment, technology and services (METS) businesses. “It’s great to see that Adani has turned to Mackay’s world-class METS service hub to assemble these large mining trucks,” she said.