Modern Mining April 2021

SUPPLY CHAIN News

New Cat 992 wheel loader increases productivity by up to 32% and final drive, along with the new engine, deliver a 20% longer interval for planned component replacement.

Building on a more than half-century legacy that includes the best-selling large mining loader model of all time, the new Cat 992 wheel loader sets a new standard by offer- ing up to 32% greater productivity. The new large mining loader reduces maintenance costs by as much as 10% and offers up to 48% greater payload-per-fuel efficiency than the earlier 992K model. Powered by the new Cat C32B engine with U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final/EU Stage V and Tier 2 equivalent emission engine options, the new 992 meets the global industry’s demand for high-production equipment with greater payloads. Powertrain design enhancements to the transmission, axles

machine capacity and efficiency. The new 992 has demonstrated in field testing up to 48% greater payload-per-fuel efficiency in applications where a four-pass match to 90,7 tonne (100-ton) trucks was achieved, versus five passes with the 992K. The 992 provides up to 9,5% more rimpull dur- ing digging and up to 20% more breakout force, increasing productivity. The new Cat 992 wheel loader features an on-demand throttle mode to optimise payload-per-fuel efficiency without slow- ing production. New standard automatic retarding controls disable the impeller clutch, enable the lockup clutch, and use the implement and fan pumps retarding to slow the machine on grade. The available advanced automatic retarding controls with engine brake feature offers full control of the loader’s speed on grade to maintain a desired hold speed. Automating critical digging cycle ele- ments, optional New Autodig Components further improve productivity and efficiency while reducing tyre wear. To stop slippage before it happens, a tyre slip prevention feature reduces rimpull before the tyres are set and increases rimpull when down- ward force is applied to the tyre. The set function detects pile contact and automati- cally lifts against the pile to set the tyres and increase available traction. The lift stall prevention feature automatically man- ages rimpull in-dig to prevent hydraulic stall while lifting through the face, so the 992 spends less time in the pile.  “Our environmental strategy is also designed to address stakeholder pres- sures and market opportunities,” he says. “While there is no facility yet for us to be reimbursed for the electricity that we feed back to the grid, we believe this to be an important corporate contribution at this time. We are also building up carbon credits that may be traded with other companies at a later stage.” Potgieter highlights that the company’s approach is based on eight sustainable business practices, which include part- nering with employees, conserving water and electricity, developing a recycling pro- gramme, and prioritising the management of chemicals.  heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems to ensure moderate use.

Offering both standard- and high-lift configurations, the 992 is said to deliver the lowest cost-per-ton when paired with fleets of Cat 775, 777 and 785 trucks. Standard-lift payload capacities reach 23,1 tonnes for quarry face applications and 27,2 tonnes for loose material han- dl ing, whi le high-l ift capacities reach 20,4 tonnes and 24,5 tonnes in respec- tive applications. A new Z-bar linkage optimised for performance, and improvements to rim- pull and breakout force, deliver greater

Offering both standard- and high-lift configurations, the 992 is said to deliver the lowest cost-per-ton when paired with fleets of Cat 775, 777 and 785 trucks.

Weba forges green path to the future

A new 390 panel solar plant at Weba Chute Systems’ Germiston facility is making an active contribution to the South African economy’s environmental protection and energy efficiency efforts. The company measures its corporate environmental performance against all its impacts on the natural environment to reduce the effect on climate change. As part of its green-future strategy, the transfer point specialist commissioned a roof-top solar energy system in December 2020 as part of its integrated response, says Izak Potgieter, ISO systems manager at Weba Chute Systems. “With a capacity of 160 kW – calculated on 85% performance – the system meets

most of the energy requirements of our workshop and offices,” says Potgieter. “This takes considerable pressure off the national grid, while also allowing us to feed power back into the system when there is excess.” The impact in the first couple of months of operation has already been substan- tial, he notes; the 62 MW generated by the solar panels represents a reduction of about 25 tonnes of carbon dioxide emis- sions that would have been produced from coal fired power. Other elements of the strategy have included energy efficiency interventions such as installing LED lighting in the work- place, and the continuous monitoring of

38  MODERN MINING  April 2021