Copper-gold miner Ok Tedi Mining Ltd (OTML) has launched at its operations in Tabubil a first and largest of its kind for Papua New Guinea Cat® 995 Large Wheel Loader (LWL), which is also only the second of this model to have been delivered in the Pacific region.

The Cat 995 LWL was purchased earlier this year from Hastings Deering, the Caterpillar equipment dealer, to increase production capacity and meet the growing demands of the industry market.

OTML Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kedi Ilimbit said that the purchase of the latest edition of the front wheel loader will add to the company’s fleet of mining equipment, which already includes a wide range of cutting-edge machinery.

“The Cat 995 is up to 23% more productive than the Cat 994 Wheel Loader, while the company has been using the smaller Cat 993 loader for almost 4 decades. Cat 995 has a more powerful engine, higher-rated payload, and efficient hydraulic system that allows for fast cycle times and higher production which is efficient for our operations,” said Ilimbit.

Hastings Deering Resource Industries Account Manager Todd Wallace acknowledged the existing partnership between the two companies.

“We are excited to deliver the first Cat 995 LWL into PNG and the second Cat 995 LWL into the Hastings Deering territory. Ok Tedi has the second of the first three Cat 995 LWL models built worldwide,” said Wallace.

The launch of the Cat 995 LWL is a historical milestone for OTML as a world-class mine and for Papua New Guinea’s mining industry.

OTML says it is committed to investing in advanced and low emission technology and equipment to ensure efficiency in mining operations, production success, and the safety and well-being of all its employees, business partners, and the surrounding mining communities.