Modern Mining February 2019

COVER STORY

Flagship of the range is the newly intro- duced L350H, which has an operating weight from 50 to 56 tonnes (depending on the config- uration). Steyn Diamante took the first machine to be sold in South Africa and Modern Mining was able to see it in action last year loading the company’s A60H haulers. Steyn Diamante has been impressed by the machine, with com- pany founder Schalk Steyn noting in particular – when he spoke to Modern Mining – its fuel efficiency and high-lift capability. Finally, Vaughan makes the point that new Volvo machine introductions over the past two to three years have taken Babcock into new markets. “When we were appointed as the Volvo CE dealer in Southern Africa in 2000, the Volvo machines then available were suited primarily to smaller or mid-tier mining operations. With the launch of the EC950E, the A60H, the R100E and the L350H, the picture has been totally transformed. We now have the ability to supply customers with entirely Volvo- branded fleets able to handle the high-volume demands of even the most substantial mining operations,” he concludes. 

The Volvo A60H hauls a load at the Schutsekama mine.

in the very competitive 100-ton rigid hauler market. “With the current dearth of large mining projects in our region, there are not too many customers prepared to commit to machines of this size at the moment but this could soon change and we have ordered three R100Es for stock,” says Vaughan. “Steyn Diamante will be a reference site for us but we also have a demo machine which is going out to strategic customers so that they can see its capabilities for themselves. The response we’re getting is very positive. Our custom- ers are aware of the R100E and there is very strong interest in it.” No mining equipment line-up would be complete without wheel loaders and Volvo has a full range with operating weights from 12 to 56 tonnes. The biggest seller is the L150H, which is a 25-tonne machine which has found particular favour with coal miners.

February 2019  MODERN MINING  21