The underground mining services company Mas Errázuriz has acquired two 10 t class LHDs of the model LT1051 from Komatsu Mining, to be used in a copper mine in Chile’s Region IV, and replacing competitive equipment.
Emerson Tobar, Account Manager at Komatsu Mining in Chile said the model’s main attributes are being safe, robust and having a simple maintainability, which prolongs its useful life and reduces maintenance, in addition to its high break out force, which in the field gives a lot of confidence towards productivity. Komatsu says the LT1051 “is ideal for medium-size openings for both load-and-carry and truck-loading applications. The LT-1051 is perfect for height-restricted areas and can be equipped with an optional ejector bucket.” It adds that it is designed specifically for ease of use and maintenance, with simple operation gauges and a rugged long-life structure, providing the lowest possible total costs of operation including low capital costs.
The order is a boost for Komatsu’s underground equipment business in Chile where it still has a relatively small market share. However, it does have a foothold in the future technology side as it already has large hybrid 18HD 18 t class LHD operating at Codelco’s El Teniente underground copper operations which Codelco says has increased productivity by more than 10% and cut diesel consumption by 15-20%.
