Capital Equipment News December 2018

MINING NEWS

Epiroc Drilling Solutions buys autonomous mining solutions business

Epiroc Drilling Solutions has acquired part of ASI Mining, a United States- based company that provides technology solutions for autonomous operation of mining vehicles. Epiroc has acquired 34% of ASI Mining, which is based in Mendon, Utah, and is a subsidiary of Autonomous Solutions Inc. Its products include on-board hardware and software that convert vehicles to autonomous operation, as well as system level software platforms for command and control of autonomous fleets across various mining applications. The solutions integrate with various mobile mining equipment, regardless of make or model, and are used by mining customers globally. The business is estimated to have revenues in 2018 of more than USD6-million. “We believe in the ASI Mining vision and the benefits they can bring to the mining community,” says Jose Manuel Sanchez, President of Drilling Solutions at Epiroc. “We are excited about the potential that can be realised through the ASI products and The legacy of the Cat large dozer began a little more than 40 years ago with a revolutionary elevated drive sprocket and new undercarriage design that looked unlike any dozer of its day. The ground- breaking suspended undercarriage with high drive design conformed to the ground better than standard oval tracks, helping to improve machine traction, extend undercarriage life and enhance operator comfort. In October 2018, representatives from Caterpillar Inc., Finning Canada and Teck Resources Limited (Teck) gathered in East Peoria, Illinois to celebrate the milestone of the 40 000th Cat large dozer rolling off the production line. Core to Caterpillar’s global identity, the current Cat large dozer line includes the D9, D10 and D11 models. “Caterpillar transformed the track- type tractor with the introduction of the suspended undercarriage with elevated drive sprocket. The innovation, along with a long history of others, enabled Cat large dozers to set the standards for efficiency, productivity and durability. These iconic machines continue to define who we are and play a key role in building a better world,” says Greg Hepler, product manager for large dozers.

ASI Mining’s solutions integrate with various mobile mining equipment, regardless of make or model.

Epiroc global footprint in mining.” “A decade ago we started the Pit Viper automation programme that has now led to a paradigm change in how drilling is done in surface mining,” says Jon Torpy, vice- president of Marketing Drilling Solutions at Epiroc. “We see that the ASI Mining solutions will also fundamentally change the industry toward higher productivity and improved safety. We are excited about the

potential that exists when we work together to bring new solutions to the mining community.” b

• Epiroc has acquired 34% of ASI Mining • More than USD6-million in revenues in 2018

Caterpillar’s 40 000 th large dozer rolls off production line

The 40 000 th dozer will be put to work in the Elk Valley region of Canada

Industries, handed the keys of the 40 000 th large dozer to Louis DeLuca, Teck director of supply management, during the ceremony held October 25. The celebration included employees in Caterpillar’s Building SS, where all 40 000 Cat D9, D10 and D11 dozer models have been manufactured. For more than 10 years, Teck has been one of the top customers in the world for Cat large dozers. The 40 000th large dozer, a 102 058 kg D11T, will operate in the Elk Valley near Sparwood, British Columbia, where the company produces steelmaking coal at five mines.

• Milestone D11T is equipped with a Cat C32 engine • Produces 850 horsepower (634 kW) • Moves up to 900 m³ of material per hour

Cat machines sold, but also because it represents the many long-lasting and mutually beneficial business relationships established with customers like Teck,” says Hepler. “We are honoured to celebrate this achievement with Teck, and we are grateful that their Elk Valley mines have counted on Caterpillar, Cat equipment and their dealer, Finning Canada, to help them reach their production goals since 1992.” b

“This milestone is important, not just because of the sheer number of

Denise Johnson, Caterpillar group president responsible for Resource

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