Modern Mining July 2021

COVER STORY

Moving more for less with Bell articulated haulers

To meet mining companies’ growing drive to become lowest- quartile cost producers, Bell Equipment has over the years contin- ued to push the boundaries with a range of standard solutions on its articulated haulers that speak to increased productivity and efficiency, thus establishing the Bell ADT as one of the lowest cost- per-tonne machines on the market, writes Munesu Shoko .

G iven the productivity challenges in the min‑ ing industry, companies are under pressure to produce more efficiently. While miners can’t control the whims of the world economy that shift currencies and commodity prices, they can, however, control how they operate. As companies refocus on becoming lowest-quartile producers, Nick Kyriacos, product marketing manager at Bell Equipment, believes that they need to pay close attention to their cost per tonne of material moved. Truck haulage is the most common form of mate‑ rials transport in open pit mines and, if not managed properly, it can be one of the biggest cost drivers. “Cost per tonne is one of the key parameters of sig‑ nificance in the mining industry. It’s about moving material from one point to the other at the lowest cost possible, which ultimately keeps the cost of the final product down,” says Kyriacos. Bell articulated dump trucks (ADTs) have been a

Nick Kyriacos, product marketing manager at Bell Equipment.

pillar of the mining industry for decades and continue to grow in importance. The company’s value proposi‑ tion is to offer a cost-effective and efficient haulage solution to the mining sector. This has been achieved through quality componentry and advancements in standard technologies that increase the efficiency and productivity of machines. According to Kyriacos, lower cost per tonne for Bell ADTs depends on four factors: the quality of the machines, efficient opera‑ tion, reduced service and maintenance costs, as well as the high residual value of the machines. Capital costs Capital equipment purchasing can significantly influ‑ ence companies’ economic success. The process

The entire range of Bell articulated haulers is powered by Mercedes Benz engines that drive greater fuel savings.

10  MODERN MINING  July 2021