Capital Equipment News October 2019

COVER STORY UPPING EFFICIENCY

A s an industry whose fate is tied to fluctuations in commodity prices, mining operations often feel the pinch of sustained commodity price dips, and only feel the relief when prospects pick up again. Although mining companies can’t entirely disentangle themselves from this cycle of boom and bust, increasing productivity and seeking ways to reduce their cost per tonne can provide some shield against the downward cycles of the market. Equipment efficiency and reliability are key to productivity in mining. The new Liebherr R 9150 B ticks all the right boxes as far as these key indicators are concerned. Now available from Liebherr Africa, the new excavator is said to set a new loading standard in the 100 t class mining market. As a perfect loading tool for 50 t up to 135 t dump trucks and offering a wide array of uses, the R 9150 B is a radical upgrade of the respected R 9150. The R 9150 B’s operating weight ranges between 128 000 kg and 148 000 kg, depending on the type of wear packages and attachment the customer requires. Abie Kriel, Technical Manager Mining at Liebherr Africa, tells Capital Equipment mind, Liebherr Africa is launching the new Liebherr R 9150 B excavator with a specific design focus on increased productivity , efficiency and reliability – three key parameters that can provide the mining sector with some insulation against the cold whims of the market. By Munesu Shoko. AND PRODUCTIVITY Increasing productivity and reducing cost per tonne can help mines survive the typical boom and bust cycles associated with the secto r . With that in

News that the launch of the new B model fits well into the LEC strategy for this specific market segment of 100-150 t class excavators, which has been identified as one of the major growth drivers for Libherr’s Mining Division. As part of that strategy, Liebherr Africa also introduced the 100-t T 236 rigid hauler late last year, which can be perfectly paired with the new R 9150 B. Tom Munch, Director Mining at Liebherr Africa, said at the time that the contract mining market was a major driver of the 100 t class. “We are working in a contract mining market. If you look at the type of equipment this group of customers requires currently, it’s mainly 100 t class excavators and 100 t dump trucks. This is due to the mobility they require, given that their contracts are limited to 3-5 years at most,” says Munch. Productivity increase The R 9150 B’s increased productivity hinges on the machine’s fast cycle times, precise machine motions, high digging forces, power-oriented energy management and an exclusive EVO bucket solution.

“All Liebherr Mining excavators are equipped with a closed loop swing circuit. Kinematic energy is recovered when the swing motion is used during deceleration, to drive the main and auxiliary pumps, reducing fuel consumption and allowing faster boom lift motion.”

Abie Kriel, technical manager Mining at Liebherr Africa

“Liebherr’s vertical integration means we design and build components that meet the specific operational requirements of both the customer and the mine site. Genuine Liebherr components ensure the best interaction within the machine to encourage optimal performance and effective machine operation at low costs.”

Tom Munch, director Mining at Liebherr Africa

TALKING POINTS

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS OCTOBER 2019 4