Australasian Pacific Engineering Group (APEG) will launch Belaz, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of mining dump trucks, onto the Australian market at AIMEX, held in Sydney from August 20-23. Belaz recently started offering its trucks in Australia, with the opening of a new distribution and support facility near Newcastle which has links to the coal-rich Hunter Valley. Belaz manufactures the largest mining trucks outside of the US, and during 2013 plans to release a 450 tonne capacity truck – which will be the world’s largest.
In Australia, Belaz has recently appointed the Australasian Pacific Engineering Group (APEG) as its distribution and support partner. Shane Halliwell, APEG Director said “We see this as a big development for the Australian resources sector. Belaz views the Australian market as being very solid in the medium to long term and this move is a key part of a global expansion program by the company.”
With over 14,000 employees in operations covering 33 countries, Halliwell said Belaz is one of the world’s largest producers of dump trucks.
“Around the globe, one in three operating dump trucks is manufactured by Belaz – giving an idea of the size and reach of the company.”
Belaz trucks are designed and built in a modern manufacturing centre in Zhodino, Belarus, which is currently producing 2000 units a year. Halliwell said the Belaz range offered mining companies and contractors a number of benefits.
“Firstly, while the initial purchase price certainly delivers significant savings over better-known brands, independent studies conducted over a 10-year operating cycle have shown that Belaz trucks are considerably cheaper to operate. Secondly, our delivery times are typically significantly shorter than some other brands; for example, a 240 tonne dump truck can be assembled in our factory and be ready to go within four days – giving delivery times between three and five months. For some competitive product there’s up to an 18-month wait,” he said.
APEG has recently supplied Belaz dump trucks to one of Australia’s leading mining houses, and since April 2013 has had five units operating on a ‘hire-to-buy’ basis while being evaluated against its existing fleet. Halliwell said that initially APEG will be supplying two models in Australia, the 240 tonne and 360 tonne capacity trucks.
“These are all built to ISO standards and specced to meet the stringent mine site requirements of our client. Due to our flexible production line, the factory is capable of making changes to the trucks as required to ensure they meet Australian mining spec standards. This ensures there is no need for re-engineering when the unit gets here, something which is both costly for the client and can dramatically affects delivery times.”
Belaz trucks will be sold and supported in Australia through APEG, working in conjunction with Sharps Heavy Equipment Repairs to provide service and repairs. Sharps Heavy Equipment Repairs has facilities in Mackay and Dalby in central Queensland, and has recently opened a new facility in Rutherford, in the upper Hunter Valley.