Modern Mining June 2021

SUPPLY CHAIN News

Themed “Together, we’re mining better,” Caterpillar’s MINExpo 2021 experience celebrates the company’s partnership with mines and the ways it assists customers to mine more efficiently, effectively, safely and sustainably. The 5 124-m² exhibit will feature a broad range of product displays, new equipment introductions, previews of what the future holds and remote operat- ing stations. The exhibit will be grouped under three specific core areas: environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) and sus- tainability; technology and automation; and equipment lifecycle management solutions. “After waiting an extra year, the mining industry is ready to reconnect at MINExpo. Caterpillar’s MINExpo exhibit to focus on sustainability and productivity We are excited to show our customers and the industry the advancements Caterpillar has made not only in equipment, technol- ogy and services but also in how we are helping customers mine more sustainably,” comments Caterpillar Resource Industries group president Denise Johnson. “While we are eager to exhibit in Las Vegas, we recognise that many of our dealers and customers will not be able to travel to the show. Therefore, we are also creating a digital Caterpillar experience at cat.com/ mining, where we will place MINExpo spe- cific content.” Central to Caterpillar’s commitment to mining better together is helping customers meet their ESG goals and build sustain- able mine sites of the future. Recognising that one size doesn’t fit all, Caterpillar has followed a strategic approach with a long- term vision of discovering, developing and delivering a broad portfolio of products, technologies, services and solutions. This portfolio allows Caterpillar to provide a full site approach, which combines offerings with integration expertise to identify and provide the best possible solution for each specific mine.

Vital to the vision of the all-electric underground mine of the future, the new Cat R1700 XE LHD will feature 100% bat- tery electric propulsion that generates significantly less heat and noise. It offers a 15-tonne payload, 24 190-kg lift and tilt breakout force, and 18 km/h top speed. To optimise runtime and improve safety, bat- teries stay on the machine for charging. Fully charging the R1700 XE in as little as 20 minutes, the new portable Cat MEC500 mobile equipment charger is the first of its kind in the industry. It can be moved via towing, fork truck, or the R1700 XE and eliminates the need for regular battery han- dling and swapping. The new R2900 XE LHD diesel-electric drive train on display features a significant reduction in maintenance and repair costs, while minimising emissions. Its redesigned lift arm and components delivers up to a 39% improved lift breakout force over the R2900G, making this model up to 31 tonnes per litre more fuel efficient. Caterpillar is set to unveil what is said to be the world’s largest, most powerful and efficient electric drive dozer with high drive. The new Cat D11 XE dozer will be the most advanced, lowest emission-per-ton dozer in the industry, built to deliver the low- est cost of bank cubic metres (BCM) ever. Exhibited alongside the D11 XE, the new Cat D10 dozer offers up to 4% less fuel con- sumption than the previous model, up to 3% more productivity with high-horsepower reverse and up to 6% more efficiency with combined load-sensing hydraulics and sta- tor clutch torque divider. The recently introduced Cat 992 wheel Loader delivers up to a 32% increase in productivity. It reduces maintenance costs by up to 10% and has demonstrated in field testing up to 48% greater payload-per-fuel efficiency in applications where a four-pass match to 90,7-tonne trucks was achieved versus five passes with the 992K. 

Representing the Caterpillar fleet of autonomous trucks, the displayed Cat 794 AC electric drive will be factory-installed with Cat MineStar Command for hauling.

Seequent appoints new CEO Geoscience software company Seequent has promoted Graham Grant to CEO, following six years as the company’s chief oper- ating officer. In a planned transition, Grant succeeds Shaun Maloney, who has retired after a decade in the role. “On behalf of the Seequent board, I would like to warmly wel- come Graham as CEO,” says Maloney, who continues to serve as Seequent’s executive chairman. “Leading Seequent and its fan- tastic team into the company it is today has been a great honour – and Graham has played an integral role in this journey for the

past nine years. Seequent’s future is in skilful hands with Graham; his leadership skills, proven performance, vision and drive for success will ensure Seequent’s continued advancement.” Grant says, “It’s an honour to take the helm at Seequent. What Shaun and the Seequent team have achieved - building this company from what was a small Christchurch-based start- up 17 years ago, to a truly global company providing innovative solutions to geoscience challenges in over 100 countries around the world – is remarkable. We are fortunate to have a global workforce of experts in their field, and the passion they bring to their roles, the resilience they have shown during COVID-19, and their amazing customer focus is what has made Seequent the success story it is. I am proud to be a part of that success and excited to take Seequent into its next chapter.” 

38  MODERN MINING  June 2021