Modern Mining January 2018

PRODUCT News

Komatsu introduces 70-tonne excavator

A welcome new addition to the Komatsu range of excavators is the PC700LC-8R SE, specifically introduced as a result of con- sultation with many operators engaged in the mining industry. According to Manager Sales and Marketing Toshi Ohtsuka, discussions with customers revealed the need for this additional model to fill a perceived gap between the PC600 and the PC850. “We have introduced the PC700LC-8R SE in response to industry calls for a 70-tonne excavator that is seen as the ideal solution for moving large volumes of overburden,” he says, adding that it has been positioned as a super earthmover capable of outper- forming equivalent products in its class. A key feature of this high-performance product is its bucket size, which deliv- ers significant reductions in cycle times. The high-capacity 4,0 m³ heavy-duty bucket enables the new excavator to fill a 40-tonne articulated dump truck in just six passes, which not only accelerates output but generates significant cost-saving ben- efits to the operator. Performance is an important part of the equation, but so also is reliability. The local mining industry is a tough one and to meet its challenges Komatsu has devel- oped a special version of the PC700 that is designed for the global market and sold globally. All machines will be supplied to heavy- duty standards, and components such as boom arms are reinforced with high tensile steel plates. Track roller guards are supplied as standard as are extra protection devices for operators, including front-screen grilles and additional steel cladding on the cab roof. An additional safety feature also sup-

plied as standard is a rear-viewmonitoring system in the operator cab. Another important aspect of the exca- vator’s design is that it shares a great deal of commonality of parts with the PC600 and PC850. “The upper structure is very similar to the PC600 while the components used in the lower undercarriage are common to many related products. Another important aspect is that the power unit, the Komatsu SAA6D140E-5, is widely used in the coun- try so it is well known to service staff,” Ohtsuka says, adding that comprehensive spares coverage is already in existence. Initial reaction to the availability of the new 70-tonne dozer has been very posi- tive as a Komatsu product to service this segment of the excavator market is seen as highly beneficial to both mine own-

The new Komatsu PC700 excavator is seen as the ideal solution for moving large volumes of overburden. ers and contractors. The first two units to reach South Africa are already hard at work in locations around Witbank, having been ordered by the customer as soon as he learned that a 70-tonne Komatsu was available. Service meters show that both products have already exceeded 1 600 working hours absolutely trouble free. Komatsu South Africa, tel (+27 11) 923-1000 client consultation. “We place a substantial emphasis on, and invest a large amount of financial resources in, research and devel- opment of our software solutions. We are deeply committed to provide regular product releases that build upon the strengths of pre- vious versions,”Strydom comments. The latest iterations of both Geobank and Micromine will be launched officially in March, with new features aimed at improving functionality and usability. Product special- ists will be on hand at the MICROMINE stand at Mining Indaba 2018 to provide delegates with more detailed information about the latest software solutions. Live interactive software demonstrations of both Geobank 2018 and Micromine 2018 will take centre stage throughout the event. MICROMINE, website: www.micromine.com

MICROMINE to showcase mining software at Indaba Leading mining software solutions pro- vider MICROMINE will preview its latest major product releases, Geobank 2018 and Micromine 2018, at Mining Indaba 2018. The company will showcase its entire suite of software solutions at the event, including secure and flexible data-man- agement solution Geobank, 3D modelling and mine design solution Micromine, and fleet management and mine-control system Pitram.

“We give our customers an in-depth understanding of their projects so as to ensure that prospective exploration regions can be targeted more accurately,” MICROMINE South Africa Regional Manager Renier Strydom explains. Both Geobank 2018 and Micromine 2018 have been developed on the back of extensive

January 2018  MODERN MINING  67