Leading PNG open pit copper-gold-silver miner Ok Tedi Mining Ltd (OTML) is the latest major mining operation to take a bold move with the introduction of large class Chinese made mining equipment from Xuzhou-headquartered XCMG.
In total, OTML has ordered 20 230 t class diesel-AC electric drive XDE260 trucks from XCMG of which five were delivered last year with the remaining 15 due in 2025. Commissioning of the initial trucks is already underway.
Ok Tedi mine is located at Mount Fubilan in the Western Province of Papua New Guinea. Up to 240,000 t of overburden is mined each day from a pit covering about 2.6 square kilometres. In addition, about 60,000 t of ore is mined each day and delivered to the mill for processing. The existing fleet is primarily made up of Caterpillar mechanical drive 793F trucks that replaced an earlier 789 fleet.
The OTML-XCMG relationship began with the successful deployment of a GR3505T grader in late 2023. XCMG is present in the country via XCMG (PNG) Engineering Machinery Ltd which was established in 2018 and has grown rapidly in the country expanding its construction machinery market share but is now growing in mining. The company told IM that the supply of mining machinery to OTML followed a rigorous supply tender process in which XCMG was successful with their tender submission. It is certainly a bold move by OTML and the result will be determined by the productivity outcome in months to come.
The XDE260 utilises a 2,500 hp MTU Chinese-made 16V4000 engine from the factory in Suzhou which can maintain full power up to 5,500 m with OTML being at just over 2,000 m. This is teamed with a Wabtec electric drive system including 5GEB25 wheel motors.
Last year XCMG announced a large XDE260 order for Oceania but did not name the customer. “XCMG Mining Construction is committed to the mission and vision of ‘Leading Technology to Empower Solid Future,’ following the transformation roadmap emphasising high-end, intelligent, green, service-oriented, and international development, leveraging the opportunities of intelligent and digital transformation as well as networking capabilities to promote the high-quality development of the group, and working with our global partners to build XCMG Mining Construction into a world-class brand,” said Geng Jiawen, General Manager of XCMG Mining Construction following the announcement.
OTML has ambitious long term plans. There is approval for a Mine Life Extension in principle up to 2050 by the OTML Board. Plus it has already successfully renewed its Special Mining Lease (SML) 1 (0), gaining an additional 20-year lease term from 2022 to 2042.