Capital Equipment News November 2017

TRANSPORT

A 25% payload increase is the most prominent benefit of the new Scania mining tipper.

Raimo Lehtiö, MD of Scania South Africa, says the new mining tipper plugs the payload gap between yellow metal haulers and existing tipper offerings.

are placed in well-protected positions. The Scania heavy tipper also benefits from a ladder type frame with C-profile side rails, which is roll-formed with a yield strength of 500 MPa. It also comes with reinforced front axles with excellent ground clearance. The progressive bump stops in the front suspension help absorb part of the load, relieving stress on the springs and frame. The cab structure comes with galvanised sheet steel panels, laminated windscreen and tough, hardened door windows to withstand severe impact of the rough conditions associated with mine pits. More features The new Scania mining tipper comes with a 12+2 speed range-splitter gearbox, with overdrive, two crawler gears and two reverse gears. The power take-off is mounted on the rear of the gearbox, designed for direct- mounted hydraulic pump. It comes with a servo pump with variable displacement which reduces temperature and stress on the steering gear. The Scania Opticruise provides accurate and smooth automated gear changing for reduced driver fatigue and improved productivity. Bearing in mind that safety is a key parameter in any mining environment, the new behemoth comes with a range of features that speak to increased vehicle safety. For example, yellow boarding steps and grab handles are available on request. Another safety feature, which also affects uptime and productivity, are the yellow wheel nut indicators showing when a wheel nut needs re-tightening. Every vehicle has to undergo service and maintenance, but it is always important that any downtime related to that be kept to the shortest possible time. The focus is evident through easy access to grease points and all major service points.

Adams-Kruger further argues that during the boom years mines had the luxury of acquiring equipment which was available rather than what they really needed. The downturn in commodity prices in recent years in particular has now led mining companies to take strong steps to improve productivity. She says many have stated publicly that productivity is top of their agenda and they are extolling the virtues of cutting capital spending. Friberg says although commodity prices have seen a slight recovery in 2017, investment in the mining sector in South Africa remains cautious. He reasons that continued innovation is key, especially in an environment where business expansion is very tentative and costs still need to be tightly controlled. As these pressures build, Govender says mines are relooking their equipment, especially their hauling solutions, bearing in mind that transportation constitutes up to a third or more of any operation’s costs. He is of the view that the future belongs to the “smaller and smarter” hauling solutions such as the Scania mining tipper, especially at a time when mines really need to seek ways to maximise hauling efficiencies and productivity to maintain, or even, improve their bottom lines. Govender believes a total mindset shift will see mines harness the benefits of the Scania mining tipper, ranging from lower capital investment, reduced maintenance costs, to lower fuel consumption and in- creased uptime. “The key value proposi- tion is the total operating economy, which manifests itself is less cost per tonne and increased return on investment. That’s ex- actly what mines are pushing for. It’s also the services around the vehicle that we can provide as we are well aware that uptime is very important for mining operations,” con- cludes Govender. b

New tyre specs are also available, bearing in mind the increased payload on the new tipper. 325/95R24 tyres – with a load capacity of 5 500 kg per tyre at maximum speed of 45,5 km/h and inflation pressure of 9,3 bar – can be fitted on all axles. However, if the workshop is restricted to handle inflation pressures below 9 bar, two other options are available: a load capacity of 5 250 kg per tyre at maximum speed of 45 km/h or a load capacity of 5 500 kg per tyre at maximum speed of 30 km/h. Alternatively, 375/90R22.5 tyres can be fitted on front axles. These have a load capacity of 5 500 kg per tyre at a maximum speed of 60 km/h with an 8,9 bar inflation pressure. Mindset shift While Govender agrees that local miners still need a complete paradigm shift when it comes to their selection of hauling gear, which still favours yellow metal solutions, mainly driven by the conventional “bigger is always better” mentality, he is of the view that, now more than ever, local mines are starting to look for ways to reduce the gap between earnings and operating costs. He is of the view that the conventional thinking has always been an obstacle to identifying the most cost-effective ways and means for improvement. However, he believes that mining companies understand implicitly that productivity carries a value, but are not armed with the right information to make informed choices on the risks/ rewards involved. Adams-Kruger says costs deferred or eliminated, as well as volume increases, have become the proxy for productivity gains, adding that in the current environment, there is little patience for a productivity dividend that might be six or 12 months in the making, let alone one that needs an outlay of substantial capital to get there.

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS NOVEMBER 2017 8