Modern Mining May 2019

COVER STORY

Volvo’s mining machines

Construction Equipment (Volvo CE)’s EMEA Region, which covers Europe, the Middle East and Africa, they account for 53 % of all articu- lated hauler sales – which means that Volvo CE sells more units in this region than all the other manufacturers combined.” Not only are Volvo’s machines fuel efficient but they are also known for their longevity. “Our machines are renowned for absorbing hours in the long term,” says Vaughan. “In fact, we have one A30D articulated hauler work- ing in South Africa that has done in excess of 42 000 hours with the customer confirming that he has undertaken minimal repair work to the unit over the years. In Europe, there are some Volvo machines that have topped the 50 000‑hour mark and are still going strong.

Above: The Volvo L350H is equipped with the latest technology dedicated to reducing fuel consumption and engine emissions. Above left: A Volvo A60H articulated hauler in operation at Steyn Diamante’s Schutsekama diamond mine.

South Africa in 2018. Over the year Babcock outsold all its competitors despite targeting only the higher end of the articulated hauler market, with the smallest Volvo hauler it dis- tributes being the 29-tonne payload capacity A30G. “The articulated hauler market is highly competitive with some very capable machines on offer so we’re very proud of this achieve- ment,” says Vaughan. He adds that the popularity of the Volvo articulated hauler is not just a regional phe- nomenon confined to Southern Africa.

“The Volvo articulated haulers are the best-selling machines worldwide and in Volvo

“This longevity, incidentally, results in used Volvo machines

The best-selling Volvo A40G articulated hauler.

May 2019  MODERN MINING  19