Tag Archives: Cat

BHP to trial Cat Dynamic Energy Transfer solution at Escondida

Environmental, Mine operation news, Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , ,

BHP is the first customer to announce plans to trial Caterpillar Inc.’s Cat® Dynamic Energy Transfer (DET) system on battery electric and diesel electric mining trucks at BHP sites.

Caterpillar announced the launch of the Cat DET solution last week ahead of displaying a Cat 798 AC with a DET attachment at MINExpo 2024, this week. The technology can transfer energy to both diesel-electric and battery-electric large mining trucks while they are working around a mine site. It can also charge an electric haul truck’s batteries while the machine is on the move, and the system’s infrastructure is flexible, which allows it to be easily relocated when compared with current commercialised offerings, including large, fixed overhead trolleys.

The planned trials are the result of over two years of close collaboration between BHP and Caterpillar to find sustainable and viable energy transfer solutions. The trials include validating the solution in BHP Iron ore and Copper businesses, including CAT 793 fleet at Jimblebar and CAT 798 fleet at Escondida. BHP also intends to trial Cat DET as an integrated system with Cat autonomous solutions.

BHP announced in 2021 a collaboration with Caterpillar to deploy zero-exhaust emissions mining trucks at BHP sites to reduce operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, enabling more hands-on learning opportunities to ensure successful deployment at BHP sites. The collaboration has helped shape the processes, technology and infrastructure that will be required to support diesel-electric and battery-electric mining trucks and the mine sites of the future, the company says.

BHP’s Chief Commercial Officer, Ragnar Udd (right), said: “We are pleased to be able to trial the DET technology that Caterpillar has developed, and it is a welcome addition in our plans to enable zero-emissions mining truck deployment at BHP. Innovation and technology will play a crucial role as we work towards BHP’s goal of net zero operational emissions by 2050, and we are determined to keep building partnerships like this to achieve this objective.

“This collaboration is testament of our commitment to find solutions that are sustainable and viable – for us and the broader industry.”

Denise Johnson (left), Caterpillar Group President, said: “BHP has been part of our Early Learner program from the beginning, providing valuable feedback. We look forward to continuing that collaboration as we work together to trial the Cat DET system on both diesel-electric and battery-electric trucks at BHP’s sites. This is an important next step to validate the crucial energy management solutions needed to support not only BHP and Caterpillar, but also the broader mining industry.”

OceanaGold on the benefits of data-driven transformation

Automation, Communications in mining, Equipment maintenance, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining maintenance, Mining people, Mining safety, Mining services, Mining software, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

With a Vancouver-based headquarters and operational mines in the Philippines, the US and New Zealand, access to – and sharing of – data for decision making is critical for the optimisation of OceanaGold’s various operations and processes. It is also proving equally important for the company’s pursuit of recruitment and upskilling.

OceanaGold’s vision is to be a company people trust, want to work and partner with, supply and invest in, to create value. This vision comes alongside a plan to grow its gold production from 460,000-480,000 oz, to 580,000-600,000 oz in 2025, all while lowering its all-in sustaining costs.

Data is playing an increasingly important role in achieving this vision, with the company having invested heavily in digital and networking technology in the last few years.

For example, the company has made investments in industrial Wi-Fi across its operations – at the Golden Point underground mine (part of the Macraes operaton in New Zealand), Didipio (Philippines) and Haile (USA) – to improve access to data and company systems.

Michelle Du Plessis, Chief People & Technology Officer, told IM: “This investment is improving operational efficiency by reducing the need for people to leave operational areas of the mine to access data and systems.

“This also enables more of our equipment to be operated more safely and remotely.”

And remote operation of equipment has been growing with the installation of these network backbones, with teleremote underground drilling, loading and hauling in place at Golden Point with Sandvik fleets, plus teleremote loading and hauling – with Sandvik AutoMine®-equipped LH517is and TH551is – occurring at Haile.

There are also plans to switch to teleremote operations from a surface cabin at the Didipio underground mine.

The company is completing the real-time data process loop, with tablet-based mine operation control software – Digital Terrain’s Simbio solution – being implemented at all of its underground operations to, Du Plessis says, more accurately and effectively control underground mine planning based on what is happening in the mine at that time.

At the Horseshoe underground mine at Haile, the newest underground mine within the group, the company is also using digital and data platforms for its mine planning and short interval control systems, with the API-enabled integration coming into the Snowflake cloud-based ecosystem.

Du Plessis says these platforms are fully integrated with shift plans uploaded onto tablets and updated digitally if plans change through the shift.

On surface at the Macraes open-pit operation in New Zealand, the company is also working on the effective digital transfer of data, having recently migrated away from an older version of the Cat® MineStar™ Fleet FMS to MineSense for Miners’ (MS4M) FMS. “The main benefits were more accurate management of the fleet in terms of efficiency and maintenance planning,” Du Plessis explained of this change.

On surface at the Macraes open-pit operation in New Zealand, OceanaGold is now using MineSense for Miners’ (MS4M) FMS

Data access and availability is having a positive impact on operational productivity at OceanaGold’s operations, as well as enabling the company to confront the skills shortage it and every mining company is facing at the moment.

Du Plessis said: “At OceanaGold, we are taking a systematic and multi-pronged approach to skills development across the talent lifecycle. This guides the way we prepare our workforce for the future opportunities by building the data and technology capabilities across the company.

“We also have a distributed operational footprint, which allows us to draw on, and foster, talent in multiple jurisdictions and we can take advantage of workforce mobility between the operations.”

Some of the company’s operations are in regions where mining is not the major employer, and there are plenty of people with skills but no mining-specific experience. With OceanaGold prioritising a residential workforce and local employment over fly-in, fly-out options, skills development is crucial for resourcing its operations.

“To help us develop these skills and provide people an opportunity to build a career and have sustainable employment in mining, we partner with experienced training providers and contract mining companies,” Du Plessis explained.

For example, in the Philippines, OceanaGold has partnered with Site WorkReady (Philippines) Pty Ltd to use the Site Skills Training Center in Clark Pampanga. This facility allows the company to train new employees to work in an underground mining environment, with a focus on safety. “We are also looking at the opportunity to extend this partnership to include additional skills, such as automotive and heavy diesel mechanics, to continue to upskill our local workforce,” Du Plessis said.

In South Carolina, where the company has recently commenced mining from the new Horseshoe underground mine, OceanaGold has engaged Redpath Mining Inc in a similar skills development role.

“In addition to their mining contract, Redpath provide training and resources to develop the underground mining skills of the local workforce, allowing us to transition to a full owner-operator model over time,” Du Plessis explained.

The company has also invested in an underground training simulator at the operation, offering potential recruits exposure to the underground environment and building the operating skills of new trainees.

WesTrac and Hushpak’s expertise delivering sound results on board Cat 793Fs for Bloomfield

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WesTrac and its subsidiary Hushpak have delivered what they say is as an innovative sound suppression solution to The Bloomfield Group that has reduced the noise output of 19 Cat 793F mining trucks.

Managing the sound output from heavy machinery can be a challenging task on mine sites, but this is starting to become easier for many businesses, according to WesTrac.

“That’s thanks to a range of innovative sound suppression offerings from leading Caterpillar dealer WesTrac, which in the last two years has delivered 19 Cat 793F large mining trucks to Hunter Valley-based mining customer The Bloomfield Group showcasing these capabilities,” it said.

Using a combination of Caterpillar factory options and inhouse, customised solutions, WesTrac was tasked with reducing the noise of the Cat 793F trucks to levels that aligned to Bloomfields’ requirements at its Bloomfield and Rix’s Creek mines – in close proximity to Maitland and Singleton, respectively.

According to WesTrac NSW Strategic Growth Manager, Alan Corcoran, the solution achieved that goal on time, within budget and included several requested customisations.

“Working with our subsidiary Hushpak, we devised a solution that passed the sound output tests in the first instance,” Corcoran says.

Hushpak is a standalone engineering business specialising in sound suppression and attenuation on both mobile and fixed plant. WesTrac acquired the company in March 2022.

“Sound comes from various outputs, particularly on mobile plant,” he explains. “The engine, transmission, fan, hydraulic pumps and various other components compound to make these large machines quite noisy.

“Caterpillar offer ready-to-order sound suppression kits for mining machines, but, in some cases, there are gaps in the product offering. Many of our customers have unique needs, especially in areas like the Hunter Valley, where mine sites are in closer proximity to towns and residential areas.

“These customers have additional requirements that need further sound suppression. Meeting these unique needs, on all types of mining equipment, such as this customer’s 793F trucks, led to this project to bridge the gap.”

“These 793Fs are a 20-year investment for our business and are setting the foundation for our haulage fleet moving forward,” David Worboys says

Such is the case for Bloomfield, which produces around 2.5 Mt/y of saleable coal from its mines in New South Wales, where all haulage and ancillary machinery fleet are Cat products.

Following extensive market research carried out in 2020, Bloomfield Plant and Equipment Manager, David Worboys, and his broader team settled on the 220-t-class Caterpillar 793F truck and have since taken delivery of 19 units from WesTrac’s Tomago branch, now working at Rix’s Creek and Bloomfield mine.

Worboys says all trucks fitted out with the Hushpak-engineered sound attenuation package were contributing to ongoing site noise compliance and minimising impact to nearby communities.

“We pride ourselves on being good neighbours, and therefore we make every effort to minimise the noise impacts on them,” he says. “We use engineering best practice where we can, to achieve as high sound output reduction as we can.

“These 793Fs are a 20-year investment for our business and are setting the foundation for our haulage fleet moving forward.”

With that in mind, WesTrac’s equipment specialists and engineers worked with Hushpak and Bloomfield to develop a customised solution for the 793F that took airflow, weld locations, centre of gravity, visibility and access for maintenance into consideration.

On completion of the first 793F fit out, WesTrac engaged an independent tester to assess the noise output. Testing was carried out at WesTrac’s NSW headquarters in Tomago.

Following delivery of the first two trucks to site, WesTrac and Hushpak continued to work with Bloomfield to administer minor adjustments that have been carried through to other trucks delivered.

“Through collaboration, using expertise from us on site and working with WesTrac and Hushpak to come up with solutions introduced into the sound attenuation package has ultimately delivered a great product,” Worboys says.

Corcoran said WesTrac’s ability to tailor solutions to meet customer requirements as well as broader requirements such as emission reduction targets fuels the company’s continuous improvement program.

New High-Performance Circle boosts Cat 24 and 24M motor grader performance

Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, Mining maintenance, Mining services, , , , , ,

Caterpillar’s new High-Performance Circle (HPC) for Cat® 24 and 24M motor graders improves machine performance, efficiency and uptime availability when maintaining haul roads at large mines, according to the manufacturer.

When paired with Cat exclusive extended life blade rail wear strips, the HPC reduces total cost of ownership for the drawbar circle moldboard and downtime by up to 80%, it claims.

Providing a 16,000-hour service life, the new HPC eliminates hours of monthly planned maintenance for frequent inspection, wear strip replacement and circle shoe adjustments associated with conventional circles. Industry-leading machining capabilities designed to tight tolerances help ensure the drawbar, drives and circle perfectly align and require no adjustments for the life of the grader, Caterpillar says.

Cat proprietary heavy-duty planetary gearboxes with integrated forged pinion shaft and gear replace the work drive gearbox and pinion gear system. The gearboxes, meanwhile, have sealed-for-life slip clutches that eliminate adjustments and isolate the clutches from the rest of the drive to increase reliability. Significantly reducing maintenance time, the slip clutch assemblies can be changed out in less than an hour and come adjusted from the factory, according to the company. The brass circle wear strips and shim system is replaced with a sealed roller bearing.

The new fully-sealed roller bearing delivers smooth and effortless blade rotation. Fully integrated with standard machine auto lube, the design eliminates daily greasing and can require no maintenance, adjustment or replacement for 16,000 hours, depending on the application.

A new pinion gear shape with increased shaft diameter for improved durability allows drives to be removed vertically without drive adjustments. And dowel locators precisely position motors for easier servicing, optimal tooth contact and longer pinion life, the company says. Its new design improves component reliability to reduce downtime and maintenance costs.

Caterpillar says: “Beyond lowering total cost of ownership, less required circle maintenance reduces component handling to properly maintain the machine, which improves safety for service technicians. At 16,000 hours, if the circle teeth have reached their wear limit, they can be rotated 180° to double the component’s service life. The new HPC maintains the same machine connection interface, so it is retrofittable to all Cat 24 and 24M Motor Graders.”

Increased power and more robust structures for the new Cat 24 make it an ideal pairing for Caterpillar’s longer 8.5-m moldboard option, the company says. The grader’s new Cat C27 engine, up to 37% increase in torque and new HPC are well equipped to accommodate the blade’s increased weight and width without slowing or bogging down the machine.

At 16% longer than the standard 7.3-m blade, it helps improve safety at larger mines by reducing the amount of time spent in the middle lane to clear the windrow. When used for a wider pass, it brings haul roads back to specification in fewer passes, eliminating one pass when supporting ultra-class trucks, Caterpillar claims. Longer moldboard reach places the windrow farther away from the rear tandems to increase traction. It also allows the operator to use a more aggressive blade angle to reduce machine load, increase speed on passes and help improve material handling.

The 8.5-m moldboard option is retrofittable to existing fleet Cat 24 motor graders. It can be connected to the machine with Cat extended life blade rail wear strips, available for both standard and high-performance circles, to achieve up to three times longer service life than standard rail wear strips.

Caterpillar gears up for SME and CONEXPO-CON/AGG shows

Automation, Equipment maintenance, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Caterpillar has a busy few months lined up on the conference circuit, with major product releases, service options and technologies to be highlighted at the SME MINEXCHANGE 2023 event in Denver, Colorado, and CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Focusing beyond the iron, the Caterpillar MINEXCHANGE 2023 exhibit will highlight the company’s innovation, technological advancements, and how Caterpillar is solving mining challenges today and innovating for the future. With its “Big Difference” theme, the company will showcase how it positively impacts miners and offers a range of careers within the mining industry at the event, which runs from February 26-March 1.

This includes:

  • Big Innovation – details how Caterpillar commits significant R&D investment to technology and automation that help mining customers succeed and contribute to a better, more sustainable world; and
  • Big Opportunities – covers career opportunities at Caterpillar for creating high-tech solutions.

Inside the Cat exhibit, a Cat D8 simulator will allow conference attendees to experience operating the dozer in a virtual environment. A video wall features the themed “Big” messages that include more details on Caterpillar and its mining solutions, autonomy leadership, a real-world sustainability journey and testimonials from Cat employees. Subject matter experts will be on hand to discuss Caterpillar’s latest technology, autonomy and equipment solutions for the mining industry. In addition, seven Caterpillar subject matter experts have been selected to present eight technical abstracts at MINEXCHANGE covering diversity in the workplace to technology and automation to implementing change management.

In Las Vegas at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 from March 14-18, meanwhile, Caterpillar will highlight its latest products, services and technologies while paying tribute to those who build the world’s infrastructure in what is its largest exhibit to date at the event.

The company’s 6,500 sq.m outdoor demonstration arena will anchor the massive display known as Operator Stadium (visualisation pictured below)

New Caterpillar Technology, Services and Sustainability hubs provide visitors the opportunity to look for ways to increase operating efficiencies and improve machine uptime, while new and current models and battery-electric machine prototypes will be highlighted.

The extensive Cat® equipment display in the Festival Lot is set to include more than 30 machines, including model unveilings and battery-electric model prototypes with charging stations. Visitors will see two main equipment demonstrations each day; one focused on the latest Cat technology, and one that will spotlight the company’s full equipment line up. Additionally, Caterpillar will be providing daily spotlight demonstrations that will take a deep dive into key industry topics including improving fuel efficiency and job site efficiency, the evolution of technology, and convenient, scalable solutions for all customers.

The new Cat 950 medium wheel loader on display offers, Cat says, premium performance and simple-to-use technologies to help boost operator efficiency and increase productivity, while extended service intervals help lower maintenance costs. Visitors will be treated to a preview of the Next Generation Cat 926, 930 and 938 small wheel loaders – slated for production in late 2023 – which feature new technologies designed to make work easier, a reimagined operator environment and extended service intervals.

Caterpillar Industrial Power Systems Division, meanwhile, will exhibit a wide and rapidly growing portfolio of high-efficiency Cat industrial power solutions. The exhibit includes the unveiling of a new high power internal combustion engine, as well as lithium-ion battery technologies under development. Engines on display, such as the C3.6 IPU, C7.1 and C9.3B, meet EU Stage V, U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final emission standards and are compatible with biodiesel up to B20 and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to EN15940. The booth will also showcase Caterpillar’s technical services and market expertise leveraged by the global Cat dealer network to maximise the efficiency and extend the lifecycles of off-highway equipment, including Cat remanufactured and service replacement engines.

Caterpillar says it offers a range of service options that are easy, convenient, flexible and sustainable, and will be featured in the Services Hub at the event. The new Cat Central app is the latest tool for convenient access to genuine Cat parts and support. Another new service-related solution is the new Cat SIS2GO app which, Caterpillar says, takes the guesswork out of maintaining, troubleshooting and repairing Cat equipment. Both apps are available on Windows, iOS and Android platforms.

Team members from Cat Financial will also be available to discuss the latest leasing and financing programs.

The Caterpillar Technology Hub will offer attendees the ability to experience a range of new and existing Cat technologies – VisionLink, Cat Command, VisionLink Productivity, Cat Detect, Cat Grade and Cat Payload. Caterpillar SMEs will be on hand to assist each customer in finding a scalable solution designed to fit the business’s needs and budget.

Its centerpiece exhibit, the “Looking Glass” cube, displays and interactively showcases the five key capabilities of the new Cat VisionLink® application – Geofence & Location, Fuel Theft Alerts, Diagnostics, Idle Time/Fuel Burn, and Maintenance. An interactive wall will invite visitors to explore the full suite of VisionLink capabilities for both Cat and non-Cat equipment and non-machine assets.

The hub’s multiple Cat Command stations allow attendees to remotely operate Cat machines located more than 640 km away at the Tinaja Hills Demonstration and Learning Center. They are positioned to allow attendees to better experience and learn more about the Command for Dozing, Excavating and Loading technologies.

The Caterpillar Sustainability Hub will spotlight fuel efficiency and alternative power sources; technologies to fit every operation and budget; and parts and service designed to make uptime fast and easy, the company says. Plus, customers will learn about sustainability benefits they can choose today and plan for tomorrow.

Outside the Sustainability Hub, exhibit attendees can view components of Caterpillar’s total site solution for the energy transition, including four battery-electric machine prototypes – the Cat 301.9 mini excavator, 320 medium excavator, 950 GC medium wheel loader and 906 compact wheel loader – in addition to AC and DC charging solutions. The Caterpillar-designed batteries powering these battery-electric machines are built on lithium-ion Cat technology with a modular design that offers flexible configurations across multiple applications.

Fortuna Silver Mines readies for mid-2023 gold pour at Séguéla

Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , ,

The initial mining fleet has arrived at Fortuna Silver Mines’ Séguéla gold project in Côte d’Ivoire, ahead of planned commissioning in the June quarter, the company has confirmed.

The overall project is approximately 90% complete as of the end of January and remains on-track and on-budget for first gold pour in mid-2023, the company said.

Among the initial fleet are Cat haul trucks, an excavator, dozer and other ancillary equipment. The company says the next tranche of mining equipment is on-schedule for late-February availability. This includes a Cat 6020B 230 ton (224 t) hydraulic excavator, which is delivered and being assembled on-site; four Cat 777E haul trucks being assembled in Abidjan; one 50 ton excavator for rock-breaker, which has a hammer already on-site; one Cat D9 dozer; and two Cat 988 wheel loaders for crusher feed.

Mota-Engil, the mining contractor, has established its temporary facilities on site to support initial mining activities with construction of the permanent mining services area infrastructure progressing well.

With the completion of construction rapidly approaching, operational readiness has increasingly become the focus in preparation for commissioning of the 3,750 t/d processing plant, which is due to commence early in the June quarter of 2023. As a result of the dedicated efforts of the Séguéla management and site teams, the project is well positioned for this transition, which also represents a significant milestone for the company, it said.

David Whittle, Chief Operating Officer – West Africa, said: “Construction activities are nearing completion despite worldwide supply chain challenges. We are pleased to report commissioning remains on schedule for Q2 (June quarter) 2023. Our operational teams are being assembled with an experienced core leadership group already hired and preparing for first gold production. This will mark a significant milestone for Fortuna with Séguéla also exhibiting growth potential given the quantity of inferred resources and the exploration success on the property to date.”

Séguéla has a nine year mine life in reserves, with the initial six years expected to report 133,000 oz/y of gold production.

U.S. Gypsum and Altorfer Cat overcome logistical hurdles in AD30 delivery to Sperry

Energy minerals, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , , , ,

U.S. Gypsum’s (USG) Sperry mine in Iowa, USA, has added another large piece of Cat equipment to its underground loading and hauling fleet – this time a 30-t payload Cat AD30 underground truck.

Located 192 m below the surface and accessible only by a shaft measuring 1.5 m x 1.8 m, the only way to get the new equipment into the mine was to disassemble, lower and reassemble it underground.

USG has successfully commissioned three Cat® R1600 underground loaders over the last decade, relying on Altorfer Cat, the Cat dealer serving a three-state region that includes the Sperry location near Mediapolis, Iowa.

Several of the Altorfer team members responsible for the first mine transfer of the R1600s were also on hand for the AD30 transfer, including Sales Representative, Jeff Krug, and Field Technician, Chris Wolf.

“Altorfer and United States Gypsum have had a relationship for many years, starting with surface equipment,” Krug says. “When the opportunity to offer Cat mining solutions for their underground equipment materialised, the mine quickly realised there were many of the same components in the underground machines as on the surface. Parts availability and a strong service partnership made it much easier for them to switch to Cat machines.”

Since 1959, the underground Sperry operation has produced gypsum and now produces over 590,000 t/y of raw gypsum. Most of the mine’s gypsum is used in the on-site manufacturing plant, where USG makes Sheetrock® brand wallboard. Gypsum also has medicinal and agricultural uses.

The room and pillar mine has an average ceiling height of about 3 m. Gypsum is mined using the drill and blast method, then the rock is hauled to the mine’s crusher.

“The physical size of the mine has always been a limiting factor for selection of mobile equipment,” Dennis Hollingsworth, former Mine General Foreman, says. “When Cat started producing more underground equipment, it created a new choice for us – first with the R1600s, and now the AD30.”

After the successful implementation of Sperry’s R1600 fleet, Altorfer developed best practices for the mine transfer process that were shared with other dealers around the world. Taking advantage of those lessons learned, the Altorfer team spent several weeks planning and collaborating with the Sperry team before beginning the AD30 transfer.

First, the AD30 arrived at Altorfer’s Cedar Rapids, Iowa, facility, where it was adapted to the specific requirements of the mine. The bed was removed and modified so it could meet the 1.8-m height requirement for loading. In addition, tyres were replaced with a lower profile tyre to meet the maximum height requirement of the mine.

Finally, the machine arrived on the surface of the Sperry mine. Joining Wolf were two Sperry employees who also worked on the R1600 mine transfers: Mine Maintenance Supervisor, Doug Edle, and Technician, A.J. Kuisle.

“Taking the machine apart is the most important part of the process,” Wolf says. “You need to remove things in a precise order, be two to three steps ahead and have a plan for keeping track of everything.”

The team removed the rear axle and all the cooling lines and wiring harnesses from the rear frame, then separated the rear frame from the front frame. Then they tackled the front frame, removing the cab, engine transmission and front axle and lowering them into the mine. Next was the removal of the fire suppression system and wiring harnesses, as well as hoses and valves.

Once everything was removed from the front frame, the team welded on fixtures they would use to line up the frame pieces for reassembly. Then the cutting began, with oxyacetylene torches and an air arc being used to cut the frame into smaller pieces that would fit down the shaft.

Once all the pieces and parts were down the shaft, the AD30 was cleaned and the welding team put the frame back together. Then Wolf and Kuisle got busy reassembling the rest of the machine.

“It took about three weeks to get it back together and running,” Wolf said. “We were very particular to make sure that everything was assembled correctly, that there were no hoses or wires rubbing. Then we started it up and installed the bed and made sure everything was working correctly.”

Hollingsworth is proud of the teamwork involved in the machine transfer. “Getting new equipment underground has always been a challenge,” he says “Bringing a new piece of equipment underground and re-assembling it has always been a process that our mechanics take pride in being able to accomplish. Chris Wolf has a been a part of that process four times now, and I think, feels the same way. He has done a great job helping with the teardown and reassembly of all four Cat machines.”

Altorfer’s role in the life of the new AD30 didn’t stop once the machine was assembled underground. Before handing off the keys, the team took it for a test drive. When the testing was complete, Wolf provided training to the employees who would be operating the new truck.

“The training process went well,” Hollingsworth says. “Chris came in on both shifts and trained all of the operators. It’s something we’ve come to expect from Altorfer that we don’t typically get from other manufacturers.”

And finally, about four-and-a-half weeks after the mine transfer process began, the AD30 went to work.

Hollingsworth said the mine’s satisfaction with its Cat R1600s, the long life and rebuildability of Cat machines, and the quality of Altorfer’s service all contributed to the decision to purchase the AD30. “The AD30 has been a great addition to the mine fleet,” he says. “The truck is running great. The operators took to it quickly. They like the way it drives and performs.”

Just like Sperry mine’s other Cat equipment, the new machine will be supported throughout its life by Altorfer, with more new Cat machines continuing to join the mine’s fleet in the years to come.

Adriatic Metals builds underground mining fleet at Vares silver project ahead of first production

Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , , , , , , , ,

As Adriatic Metals gears up for first concentrate production at its Vares silver project in Bosnia & Herzegovina, it has revealed details of the mining fleet set to carry out work at the underground Rupice mine.

In its latest update, the company said project construction was 45% complete, with decline development progressing well – the lower decline currently being at at 210 m and upper decline at 100 m.

The majority of long-lead items and equipment orders were expected to come in on schedule, however global supply chain disruption has pushed first concentrate production from the end of the June quarter of 2023 into the September quarter, it said.

In the company’s 2021 definitive feasibility study, it shifted focus from a combined open pit and underground operation to an underground-only operation focused on Rupice, highlighting plans to mine 730,000 t/y of ore over a 10-year mine life.

In Adriatic’s most recent update, it highlighted that the fleet of vehicles required for Phase One (decline development) was on site, with delivery of Phase Two and Three vehicles commencing.

Among the fleet on site at Rupice is a Sandvik LH514i LHD, two Sandvik LH517i LHDs, a Cat 950L wheel loader, a Sandvik TH545i truck (second unit arriving in December), an Epiroc Boomer 282 jumbo drill, two Sandvik DD320 jumbos, two Sandvik DS311 rock bolters, two Titan IS26 shotcrete sprayers, three Titan BYM 6.0 underground mixer trucks and a Titan EC2 explosive charger.

Adriatic said the final project cost estimate had increased marginally from $170 million to $173 million, due to increases in engineering costs, plant and electrical equipment, including adjustments based on recent contract awards.

Milestone Cat 24 Motor Grader set for Rio Tinto’s Pilbara operations

Mining equipment, Mining maintenance, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , , , , , ,

Twenty-seven years after introducing the Cat® 24 Motor Grader to the mining market, Caterpillar has celebrated the production of its 1,000th unit.

At a ceremony held on September 22, 2022, Caterpillar executives and motor grader production team members gathered in Decatur, Illinois, to celebrate the production and sale of this milestone machine. The grader, destined for Australia, was sold by Cat dealer, WesTrac Pty Ltd, to Rio Tinto’s Pilbara Operations in Western Australia.

During the event, Caterpillar team members heard from both WesTrac and Rio Tinto Iron Ore representatives, through videotaped comments. The milestone machine includes a special 1,000th unit commemorative plate.

In 1995, Caterpillar introduced the Cat 24 Motor Grader specifically designed to build and maintain haul roads at mining sites with ultra-class haul trucks. Now in its third generation, the Cat 24 offers 399-518 kW of power, weighs 61,950 kg, comes with a 7.3 m moldboard – with an 8.5 m moldboard option – and technology as standard to work wide haul roads efficiently, according to the OEM.

Sam Vedhakumar Manoharan, Caterpillar’s Vice President of Product Management, Earthmoving, said: “The Cat 24 Motor Grader was and continues to be a game changer for maintenance efficiency of the wide haul roads necessary for ultra-class trucks. We thank the many global mining operations and dedicated Cat dealers around the world for their loyalty to the Cat 24 grader.”

Today’s Cat 24 Motor Grader features more than 30% higher power, 13% more weight and a longer rebuild life than previous generations. It will also soon feature a high-performance circle design for further improved reliability.

Stephen Jones, Rio Tinto Iron Ore Managing Director of Planning, Integration and Assets, said: “For years, we have used Cat 24 Motor Graders to maintain our haul roads for our ultra-class trucks. The Cat 24 series offers a great combination of power, weight and blade width to support road maintenance coverage for our large mining fleet. We are honoured to receive the commemorative 1,000th 24 Motor Grader, and this represents the third generation we’ve used across our Pilbara mining operations.”

Elphinstone and Finning partner on range of UG mining support vehicles, including BEVs

Environmental, Mining equipment, Sustainable mining, , , , , ,

Elphinstone says it has partnered with Caterpillar dealer, Finning, to provide a diverse range of underground mining support vehicles to suit the mining application.

With sustainability at the forefront of clients’ minds, Elphinstone has begun developing a suite of battery-electric support vehicles for underground hard-rock mining to address the increasing decarbonisation efforts and expectations of its global customer base.

This will allow Finning and Elphinstone to support their clients in achieving their ESG targets, Elphinstone said.

Elphinstone said earlier this year that it was working on delivering its first battery-powered underground support machine prototype by March 2024, thanks, in part, to a grant from the Australian Federal Government’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative. The company confirmed the battery-electric solution would be for the WR810 underground service vehicle platform and “Next Gen” underground grader (graphic above).

Finning is an authorised dealer for the Elphinstone UG product line including the UG20M Grader and the WR810 Series comprising a Delivery with Crane, Water Cannon, Fuel & Lube, 6m3 Agitator and Scissor Lift.

The WR810 Series is optioned with a Tier 4 Final version of the Cat C7.1 engine to align with Canadian emission standards, Elphinstone says. The operator cabin is designed to seat three people in comfort with exceptional visibility, the company added. In the working environment a three-seater cabin allows for the complete crew to go collectively rather than deploying an additional light vehicle for personnel transport.

The partnership could see an exciting new line up from Elphinstone with the trusted service, warranty, parts and support from Finning, Elphinstone says.