Tag Archives: trucks

Northern Star bolsters Sandvik fleet with Toro trucks and loaders, plus DD422i jumbo

Automation, Mine operation news, Mining equipment, Mining services, Mining software, Precious metals, , , , , , , , , , ,

Australia-based gold miner Northern Star Resources has selected Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions to supply 32 new pieces of mobile equipment for its Australian operations.

Northern Star operates several open-pit and underground mines across three gold production centres: Kalgoorlie and Yandal in Western Australia, and Pogo in Alaska, USA. The company will bolster its Sandvik fleet with 17 Toro™ TH663i underground trucks, 10 Toro LH621i underground loaders, four Toro LH517i underground loaders and a Sandvik DD422i development jumbo with dual control.

Loader and truck deliveries are planned to begin in September quarter 2023 and continue into June quarter 2025. The drill is scheduled to be delivered in the June quarter of 2024.

“This commitment underscores the partnership between Northern Star and Sandvik and reflects trust in our advanced, intelligent technology that helps make our customers more productive, more profitable and more sustainable,” Wayne Scrivens, Vice President, Sales Area Australia and New Zealand, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, said.

The Toro TH663i trucks each have a 63 t carrying capacity and low overall equipment weight for high ramp speeds, Sandvik says. They come with Operator Speed Assist as a standard feature to automatically limit the top speed of the vehicle during level and downhill driving. The truck’s low weight, efficient engine technology and fast ramp speeds result in low fuel consumption per hauled tonne and overall reduction of CO2 emissions, according to the OEM.

The 17 t Toro LH517i loaders, Sandvik says, provide superior hydraulic power for fast bucket filling. A powerful drivetrain enables high-speed tramming and increased productivity, while long-life components, specifically developed for the rough underground environment, contribute to low cost per tonne.

The 21 t Toro LH621i loaders are engineered for rapid mine development and large-scale underground production. With superior hydraulic power for fast bucket filling and drivetrain power for high ramp speeds, this loader can quickly clear tunnel headings for rapid advance rates, according to the company.

Sandvik to launch diesel-electric range of underground trucks, LHDs

Automation, Environmental, Mining equipment, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , ,

Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions says it is expanding its technology portfolio by developing a diesel-electric range of underground loaders and trucks to complement its battery-electric vehicle offering.

For more than 40 years, Sandvik has been driving electrification of underground mining equipment, starting with cable–electric loaders in the early 1980s and evolving to BEV equipment today, it said. Now the company is expanding its load and haul offering to include diesel–electric equipment.

“We see the future of underground mining as a combination of multiple coexisting technologies, with different solutions for varying customer needs,” Jari Söderlund, Product Management Director, Division Load and Haul, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, said.“An immediate switch from diesel to battery-electric is not a feasible solution for every mine and application. Diesel-electric is another technology that can help our customers achieve their productivity and sustainability goals.”

Sandvik first showcased its new Toro™ diesel-electric truck demonstrator to customers at a technology workshop in Turku, Finland, in 2022, during which participants shared their expectations for diesel-electric technology, Sandvik said. The demonstrator has since undergone extensive performance testing and the Sandvik product development team is using feedback from the workshop to ensure its future offering meets customer and industry needs.

Customers can expect the diesel-electric equipment offering to boost productivity, reduce total cost of ownership, improve availability and extend component lifetimes, it said. The equipment will benefit from the experience Sandvik has gained with its BEV installed base, and will utilise many common platforms used for the Toro load and haul product series, which has thousands of units delivered around the globe.

The diesel-electric Toro loaders and trucks will be automation compatible and available with advanced Sandvik digital service solutions as well as remote monitoring services, to further improve productivity and safety while reducing total cost of ownership.

Centamin weighs up use of hybrid diesel-electric units for Sukari Underground

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

It has been all change underground at Sukari for Centamin, with a switch to the owner-operator model – from contractor-led operations – likely to be followed by a transition towards an electric fleet at the gold operation in Egypt.

Having successfully grown the underground reserves by 200% in 2021, extending the life of mine in the process, the company made the decision to make the owner-operator switch last year. This move, it says, delivered cost savings and increased mining flexibility. The company went on to produce just over 440,000 oz of gold from the combined open-pit and underground operation in 2022.

Ahead of this change a detailed study on the underground operation was completed. This included assessing the benefits and limitations of using battery-operated equipment within Sukari Underground, according to a company spokesperson.

Within the underground operation, Centamin currently operates 15-t-payload LHDs and 63-t-payload trucks. These, the company says, are the predominant source of heat and diesel particulate matter.

The spokesperson told IM: “At the time [of the study], proven battery-operated equipment commercially available ranged from comparable 14-15 t loaders and smaller 42 t-50 t haulage trucks. As such, we are assessing a staged approach from conventional diesel units to hybrid diesel-electric units in the interim and then to full battery-operated loading and haulage units.”

The basis for this staged approach was driven by technology (availability and advancements), location (country and existing infrastructure), and timing (lead times, technology, infrastructure, current fleet life and underground resource expansion potential), according to the spokesperson.

“Discussions with OEMs are ongoing, not just on the fleet electrification but also to understand the future pipeline of decarbonisation technology, as this continues to be at the forefront of our operating philosophy,” the spokesperson concluded.

Sandvik to establish new production unit in Malaysia on underground LHD, truck demand

Automation, Mining equipment, Mining services, Power supply for mines, , , , , , , , , ,

Sandvik is establishing a new production unit in Malaysia for manufacturing underground loaders and trucks in an effort to answer growing demand for its battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), the company says.

Equipment production is planned to begin in the December quarter of 2023 following factory upgrades and other site improvements.

While the new production unit within Sandvik Mining and Rock Solution’s primary focus will be BEVs, it will also manufacture conventional loaders and trucks as well as battery cages. Annual manufacturing capacity is planned to increase gradually to 300 loaders and trucks and 500 battery cages by 2030.

The new facility in the 445-ha Sendayan TechValley business park, 70 kilometers south of Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur and 15 km west of state capital Seremban. The factory is 90 km southeast of Port Klang, Malaysia’s largest seaport and one of the busiest container terminals in the world.

Mats Eriksson, President of Sandvik Mining and Rock Solution, said: “Malaysia is among the most technologically developed countries in Southeast Asia and has abundant skilled labour, strong local industrial suppliers and reliable infrastructure. Our mining customers in Asia Pacific will enjoy shorter lead times for equipment manufactured to the same Sandvik standards for quality and safety.”

The new factory will span more than 8,000 m and include 15 versatile assembly bays. It will support the manufacture of all Sandvik load and haul equipment models and is independent of existing supplier chains, the company explained. Production ramp-up will begin later this year with Toro™ LH517i loaders followed by Toro™ LH518iB, Sandvik’s newly-announced automation-ready battery-electric loader, in the June quarter of 2024.

Patricio Apablaza, President of Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions’ Load and Haul division, added: “Demand for our loaders and trucks is exceeding our current production capacity at our existing factories. The establishment of our new production unit in Malaysia will enable flexible manufacturing of both conventional diesel and battery-electric mining equipment.”

Sandvik to deliver ‘biggest BEV fleet to date’ for Foran’s McIlvenna Bay

Automation, Base metals, Energy minerals, Environmental, Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Foran Mining has selected Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions to supply a fleet of 20 battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), including trucks, loaders and drills, for its McIlvenna Bay project in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Set to be one of the world’s first carbon-neutral copper development projects, McIlvenna Bay will be powered by clean hydroelectric power and designed to take advantage of Sandvik’s latest technological advances in sustainable mining, the OEM says.

Sandvik’s biggest BEV fleet to date will include seven Sandvik 18-t-payload LH518B loaders (pictured dumping into a TH550B), six Sandvik 50-t-payload TH550B trucks, four Sandvik DD422iE jumbo drill rigs, two Sandvik DL422iE longhole drills and one Sandvik DS412iE mechanical bolter. Delivery of the equipment is scheduled to begin next year and continue into 2025, Sandvik says.

Sandvik will also provide on-site service support and Battery as a Service by Sandvik at the underground copper-zinc mining project located in east-central Saskatchewan.

Jakob Rutqvist, VP Strategy and Commercial for Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions’ Battery and Hybrid Electric Vehicles (BHEV) Business Unit, said: “This record contract is the culmination of a year-long collaborative effort between Foran Mining and Sandvik and demonstrates a shared vision that electrification will drive the future of sustainable mining. BEVs have enormous potential to reduce a mining operation’s carbon footprint, and Canada continues to be the epicentre for mining electrification and a blueprint for what to expect in other major mining regions very soon.”

Copper and zinc are critical metals for the transition to a low-carbon future as essential elements of electrical grids, solar panels, wind turbines and batteries. The McIlvenna Bay project intends to supply those minerals in a way that will not only be carbon neutral but ultimately have a net positive impact on the climate, according to Sandvik.

Dave Bernier, Chief Operating Officer of Foran Mining, said: “This is a very exciting period for Foran as we continue to execute on our initiatives to permit, construct and operate McIlvenna Bay. Sandvik is a global leader in industrial battery technology and we look forward to working together on our project. Utilising battery-electric equipment with semi- and fully-autonomous capabilities can help us achieve carbon neutral targets and provide a safer working environment, which is part of our Net Positive Business strategy as we look to deliver critical metals essential for global decarbonisation in a responsible and socially-empowering way.”

Foran Mining conducted a thorough analysis during its 2020 prefeasibility study to determine the investment case for BEVs compared with diesel. The company determined that BEVs would deliver better financial results at McIlvenna Bay when considering the savings generated through lower ventilation capital and operating costs.

That report, authored by AGP Mining Consultants Inc, envisaged the potential use of 7 Sandvik LH517i LHDs and 11 Artisan Vehicles (Sandvik) Z50 battery electric trucks for a 3,600 t/d of polymetallic ore operation.

Stefan Widing, President and CEO of Sandvik, said: “I am very pleased that Foran Mining has chosen Sandvik to deliver our leading battery-electric solutions for the pioneering McIlvenna Bay project. We see very strong momentum for our mining electrification offering, which offers great potential in driving more sustainable mining, helping customers to boost productivity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve workers’ health.”

A dedicated on-site project team will be jointly working with the mine’s operations team to ensure the products and services in the delivery scope support the alliance on Foran’s journey towards more productive, efficient and sustainable mining, Sandvik said.

“Battery as a Service by Sandvik will enable McIlvenna Bay to get the most out of its battery-electric equipment by relying on unrivaled expertise to manage the capacity and health of batteries and chargers throughout their long lives,” it added.

Marathon taps Caterpillar Finance for equipment lease at Valentine gold project

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

Marathon Gold Corp says it has executed a credit-approved commitment letter with Caterpillar Financial Services Limited for equipment lease financing related to the development and operation of the Valentine gold project in Newfoundland, Canada.

The commitment letter with Cat Financial contemplates $81 million of equipment leasing for Caterpillar trucks, excavators, graders, loaders and dozers, for the purpose of loading, hauling, road maintenance, waste dump maintenance and primary pit support for the project.

The lease will be available to the company upon release of the project from its federal Environment Assessment process, review of the project’s updated feasibility study, satisfaction of a cost to complete certification and other customary conditions, Marathon Gold said.

An April 2021 feasibility study outlined an open-pit mining and conventional milling operation at Valentine with a 2.5 Mt/y processing rate over a 13-year mine life with a 31.5% after-tax internal rate of return and initial capital costs of C$305 million ($237 million). The project has estimated Proven reserves of 1.40 Moz (29.68 Mt at 1.46 g/t) and Probable reserves of 650,000 oz (17.38 Mt at 1.17 g/t).

Matt Manson, President and CEO of Marathon, said: “We are very happy to be announcing today our equipment leasing commitment with Cat Financial, another significant milestone in our project financing arrangements for the Valentine Gold Project. This agreement will provide financing for the project’s mobile mining equipment through project development and into the first several years of mining operations at an attractive overall cost of capital for Marathon.”

The lease announcement follows hot on the heels of Marathon Gold signing a Letter of Intent with SNC-Lavalin to complete detailed engineering for the project’s mill and major facilities, and develop related equipment and construction packages.

NRW cements Karara Mining services contract

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

NRW has followed up on a letter of intent with Karara Mining Limited for mining services works at the Karara Iron Ore mine in Western Australia, sealing a formal contract with the company.

The contract value is circa A$702 million ($502 million) over a five-year duration, with the project workforce averaging an estimated 250 personnel.

Located 200 km southeast of Geraldton in the Shire of Perenjori, Karara is the largest mining operation and the first major magnetite mine in the Mid West. It produces a premium, high-grade concentrate product for export to steelmakers.

With an expected mine life of 30-plus years, Karara’s operation includes a large open-pit mine, complex ore processing and beneficiation plant and significant infrastructure and logistics networks.

The works to be performed include load and haul, drill and blast and run of mine re-handling with the drill and blast component to be undertaken by NRW’s wholly owned subsidiary, Action Drill & Blast Pty Ltd.

In addition, the work includes train loading and rehandling of the product stockpiles together with miscellaneous dayworks at the mine site, camp and access roads.

Key mining equipment required for the project including three 600 t excavators and a fleet of 220 t trucks is being progressively mobilised to site for commissioning, with works commencing in March 2022.

NRW Chief Executive Officer, Jules Pemberton, said: “I am delighted that NRW has now been formally awarded the contract and I look forward to a long and successful partnership with Karara Mining.”

Karara Chief Executive Officer, Changjiang Zhu, said: “NRW is an established Western Australia-based mining and civil contractor with extensive open-cut mining experience gained through a number of successful mining operations in the state. Offering new prime equipment, NRW has the capability to undertake the entire Karara scope of work comprising a broad range of mining, construction and engineering services. We look forward to commencement of mining services early next year.”

ERG to acquire Hitachi EH4000 AC-3 trucks, EX5600E excavators for SSGPO operation

Equipment maintenance, Mine operation news, Mining equipment, Mining maintenance, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , , , ,

Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) has signed a cooperation agreement with Eurasian Machinery LLP, the official provider of Hitachi specialised equipment in Central Asia.

The agreement will see 12 Hitachi EH4000 AC-3 dump trucks and two Hitachi EX5600E hydraulic excavators delivered this year to the Kacharsky open pit iron ore mine, part of ERG’s Sokolov-Sarybai Mining Production Operation (SSGPO), in Kazakhstan.

This stands as one of the most significant acquisitions of specialised mining equipment in Kazakhstan’s history, according to ERG.

The new equipment, boasting 220 t lifting capacity, will be used for overburden operations and the transportation of iron ore, and is part of a large-scale reconstruction of the entire Kacharsky site aimed at a considerable increase in iron ore production volumes at SSGPO, ERG says.

The delivery of the specialised equipment will offer remarkable increases in load capacity and provide further advantages when working on a large scale, according to the company.

In addition to delivering specialised equipment, Eurasian Machinery will perform a wide range of maintenance works, including the construction of service infrastructure and the supply of necessary spare parts over the next 10 years. They will also offer specialised simulator training to ERG’s drivers.

As part of the agreement, which will be carried out according to the maintenance and repair contract principles, ERG will purchase up to 50 units of specialised mining equipment.

Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions bolsters Argentina service offering

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

To reduce response times, increase service quality and be closer to key mining clients, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions is decentralising its workshop in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to invest in a service centre in Caleta Olivia in the Province of Santa Cruz.

The maintenance and repair workshop for mining equipment, which opened in July, is strategically located and equipped with advanced systems such as South America’s first test bench for transmissions, axles and converters, according to Sandvik. It not only allows for the equipment to rotate, but can also take a heavy load, helping to guarantee reliability and quality of repairs.

“The objective of the Sandvik service centre in Caleta Olivia is to deliver results with high quality standards, in a timely manner,” Sebastián Issel, Country Manager of Sandvik Argentina SA, said. “To do this, we are strongly committed to the strategic development of local suppliers.”

The workshop entails a reception area, a 1,775-sq.m service area for repairs (featuring capacity for four service teams), a specific area for component repairs, training rooms and offices. The workshop is designed to carry out repairs of all types of components and equipment that Sandvik currently has in service in Argentina, including surface and underground drills and underground trucks and loaders.

The new facilities will also serve to complement training connected to mine sites for Sandvik technicians and customer representatives alike, Sandvik said.

As a supplier to many key mining operators in the southern region of Argentina, Sandvik says it sees the opening of the new service centre as an important move to provide a more localised service offering. The opening of the Caleta Olivia workshop represents a distribution point and satellite to have a faster response when a customer needs a specific component or spare part, it said. Its location in Caleta Olivia allows for less travel and smooth shift changes for service technicians.

Sandvik’s presence in key mining and construction provinces in Argentina delivers, the company says, a strategic combination for customers in the area, with the headquarters located in San Justo and the facilities in Caleta Olivia serving as the distribution and repair centre in the region.

GHH India’s contract mining arm wins plaudits for work with Hindustan Zinc

Base metals, Mine operation news, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

GHH India’s recently established contract mining arm, GHH Bumi Mining Service, has notched up its first significant award, being recognised by Vedanta Group/Hindustan Zinc Ltd (HZL) for the work it is doing at the Zawar Mala zinc-lead underground mine in Rajasthan, India.

In a recent online event, GHH Bumi Mining Service, established late last year, was named as the recipient of the Best Performing Business Partner by the companies.

The award winner was chosen out of all business partners and recognised a job well done, GHH said.

Over the last six months, GHH Bumi has been carrying out contract mining at Zawar Mala, and was presented the award, GHH says, based on excellent performance involving all contract mining activities, including those related to safety, production and asset optimisation.

Since January, GHH BUMI has been responsible for production and mine development with more than 350 employees at Zawar Mala. For this purpose, the company has access to more than 20 LHDs, dump trucks and drilling rigs from the GHH Group.

Dr Jan Petzold, CEO of GHH Group, said: “With this award, we as GHH Group see ourselves confirmed in our efforts as a reliable business partner for HZL – a cooperation that started almost four years ago with the supply of mining machinery and has resulted in being awarded as mining contractor and OEM.

“This is a special incentive to be able to conclude the second mine developer and operator contract with HZL, which is currently in preparation.”

The latest generation of GHH mining equipment, with its new dump truck MK-42, LF-14 and LF-10 LHDs as well as two FM 2.3 boom drill rigs from GHH group company, Mine Master, are on their way to India and are expected to be on site beginning of August, GHH said.

GHH says GHH Bumi is also currently working on preparing for the expansion of the Mochia Balaria Decline project, where a rapid development proposal is under way.