Columbia Steel and its Australian distributor, 2MT, have announced that an agreement has been reached to manufacture dragline chain in Australia. This agreement comprises the sharing of intellectual property required to replicate the manufacture of Columbia Steel dragline chain to Columbia’s exacting standards.

A statement from 2MT said: “As a result, we proudly introduce Australian-made 2MT Columbia Chain, a game-changer for our customers and the entire industry. By combining the expertise and resources of 2MT Mining Products and the renowned reputation of Columbia Steel products, we have elevated the standard of mining products manufactured locally on our shores.”

The key product is Columbia Steel XtraLife® dragline chain which 2MT describes as the industry standard. It says XtraLife is the preferred dragline chain for mining companies relying on consistent performance and a long product life cycle and argues that you cannot get the same consistency and endurance from any other dragline chain.

Features of the XtraLife dragline chain are an integrally cast steel chain, giving superior link integrity due to an exclusive moulding process especially developed for the manufacture of dragline chain. It also utilises proven Columbia steel proprietary H Alloys which consistently provide resilence, toughness and longer wear life. The chain has a greater contact area for better distribution of stress and crutch wear plus has high strength and abrasion resistance.

In January 2023, Columbia Steel sold its key technical and commercial assets to UK-based wear parts major CMS Cepcor Group. CMS Cepcor Group incorporated the new company Columbia Steel Cast Products LLC in Portland, Oregon, which trades independently as Columbia Steel and retained many key Columbia Steel engineering, sales, and commercial staff.