Modern Mining May 2023

COVER STORY

the A60H, the largest true articulated hauler in the market with a payload capacity of 55 tonnes, and the growing popularity of the Volvo rigid truck range. “The success of the A60H has been a revelation to us,” he observes. “We always expected it to do well but sales have surpassed our expectations, with around 170 units now in the field. It allows operators to use an articulated hauler in applications that were previously the preserve of rigid trucks and it is very clear that it is filling a market need.” On the subject of Volvo’s rigid trucks, which were launched globally in 2018, Vaughan says while there was a ready market for the R60D, a versatile workhorse in the 60-ton payload class, the flagship model, the R100E in the 100-ton class, got off to a slow start. “With the R100E we entered a market that is dominated by two global suppliers and it was ini tially difficult to gain traction,” he notes. “I’m pleased to say, however, that sales are picking up. We’ve recently received an order for 10 machines, which is our biggest order to date. These are destined for the Copperbelt, where they will join five R100Es that are already working there.” A R100E working in South Africa for a long-time Babcock customer has racked up over 7 600 hours working 20-22 hours a day at an anthracite mine. According to the customer, the machine offers high productivity, low fuel consumption and low mainte nance requirements and has also proven a hit with operators who appreciate its ergonomic and com fortable cab. Turning to Babcock’s aftermarket business, Vaughan says it has never been better. “Sales of parts and componentry are excellent and we also have more machines on either service or ser vice and maintenance contracts than ever before. Increasingly, customers are seeing the benefits of allowing us to look after their machines, which I think is testimony to the quality of service we provide.” Although Volvo’s machines sell on the strength of their quality, durability, and performance, financ ing them can be a challenge for some customers. “We recognise this, and are able to assist through Volvo Financial Services (VFS), which was launched in South Africa in 2017,” states Mannix. “VFS offers a range of innovative, customisable solutions, includ ing instalment sales agreement and finance leases. It represents a one-stop solution for customers.” On the outlook for growth, Vaughan says he is optimistic. “Coal mining has been one of the drivers of recent growth in mining and we see this continu ing. Other sectors of mining are also quite buoyant, both here in South Africa and in many of our close neighbours such as Botswana, Namibia and Zambia. The market we operate in is highly competitive, but we have the machines, the people and the branch network to continue the strong growth we’ve seen over the past couple of years.” 

Grouped filters accessible from the ground level make servicing quick and easy.

them. This is particularly the case with our articulated haulers, especially the highly popular A40G model, and some of our wheel loaders, such as the top-sell ing L150H, which is a 24-tonne class machine.” According to Vaughan, the general tight supply situation with respect to machines is a result of the problems currently affecting the global supply chain, which were precipitated by the Covid-19 crisis and have been made worse by the war in Ukraine. “All OEMs have been affected,” he says. “Assembly lines at factories have slowed because of delays in sourcing materials and components. On top of this, getting completed machines to markets around the world is a challenge in itself because of a shortage of containers and vessels. In conjunction with Volvo, we are very working hard to mitigate these problems. We’re not yet where we want to be but the situation is improving.” Looking at some of the sales highlights for Babcock over the past year, Vaughan says that par ticularly noteworthy are the continuing success of

Operators can easily select and adjust a number of functions depending on personal preferences and the task at hand.

8  MODERN MINING  May 2023