Modern Mining August 2018

DIAMONDS

difficult for our rigid trucks to operate in the pits in the rainy season. In fact, when condi- tions are really poor, the A60Hs are the only trucks that can go into the pits and get out the material efficiently.” Steyn Diamante’s investment in new Volvo machines is continuing and, on the very day that Modern Mining was on site, Steyn com- mitted to purchasing three of Volvo’s all-new R100E rigid haulers, which were launched globally in April this year at the Volvo CE fac- tory in Scotland. The R100E and its smaller siblings – the 45-ton R45D, the 60-ton R60D and the 72-ton R70D – are the first rigid trucks to be manufactured and marketed under the Volvo name and the three units to be delivered to Steyn Diamante represent the first South African order for machines in the new range. The R100E is a 100-ton capacity hauler, which is a very competitive segment of the rigid hauler market. “It will be very interest- ing to see how the R100Es shape up against the very capable 100-ton rigid trucks we already have on site,” says Steyn. “We’re looking for- ward to receiving them and believe that they will prove themselves just as effective as the other Volvo machines in our fleet.” Photos by Arthur Tassell

has not let us down in this respect. We have a full-time Babcock mechanic on site and we also get first-rate backup from the Kimberley depot.” The 50-ton class Volvo L350H operating at the mine – delivered three months ago – is the first to be deployed in South Africa. Powered by a D16E engine offering a maximum power output of 397 kW and fitted with a 6,8 m 3 capac- ity bucket, it is Volvo’s largest wheel loader to date and is equipped with the latest technology dedicated to reducing fuel consumption and engine emissions. The three Volvo A60H articulated haulers have been on site for just over a year and are the first to have been ordered in South Africa after their local launch at Babcock’s Middelburg branch in May last year. The A60H is notable for being the world’s largest true articulated hauler and has sold well locally, with nearly 30 now in operation at sites in both South Africa and Namibia. Steyn says he is impressed by both the L350H and the A60Hs. “We haven’t had the L350H for too long but our experience thus far is very positive and we particularly like the high lift it has. We’ve had the A60Hs for much longer and they’re really earning their keep. The prime reason we bought them is that it is

The scrubbing section of the Schutsekama processing plant.

August 2018  MODERN MINING  25