Modern Quarrying October-November 2017

SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT

for floor and 8,0 mm for the sides of the tipper bucket, resulting in a robust load that is rock tolerant and able to endure harsh mining environments. “Coming standard is heavy-duty rear axles with cast-iron housings, and rein- forced front axles with excellent ground clearance, as well as the Opticruise fea- ture that provides accurate and smooth automated gear changing for reduced driver fatigue and improved productivity.” Scania is the first to market with the dual cylinder option, improving stability and reducing tipping cycles. There is a range of recommended tipper body sizes related to various minerals from iron ore and copper, to salt and coal; while the 8 x 4 configuration’s capacity varies from 18 to 40 m 3 depending on material den- sity, there is also a 6 x 4 configuration with capacities from 13,5 to 30 m 3 . Govender argues that the offering of the G460 model is just what is required in South Africa’s uncertain mining and quarrying sector, where so many compa- nies are taking a ‘wait and see’ approach. “The features of Scania’s heavy tipper – combined with its attractive capital cost – makes the decision to re-invest much easier for opencast operations and

quarries that are struggling to maintain plant efficiency,” he says. “The capex saving also allows own- ers to consider multiple units to further improve operational flexibility and reduce downtime risk.” He also highlights the added value of Scania’s driver training programmes and the vehicle’s communication technology in tracking and improving production performance. An on-board loadcell, for instance, helps to accurately track mate- rial moved without the need for a sepa- rate on-site weigh-bridge. “Underlying the success of this heavy tipper in mining applications is Scania’s century of hands-on research and devel- opment,” says Friberg. “Our constant contact with customers ensures that our designs are based on what customers need. By the same token, we also engage closely with customers when configuring the truck for their specific application – and can conduct an extensive assessment of the customer’s operation to help them arrive at an optimal solution.” He says the value that the Scania range brings to a mine or quarry can extend across all the operational func- tions – from site preparation, blasting and off-road hauling, to on-road haulage and staff transportation. Adams-Kruger adds that in addition to the extensive footprint of Scania ser- vice facilities around the country and the region, there is also the option for the client to request on-site servicing should the scale of the operation warrant this. “Innovative options like container- ised workshops are also becoming pop- ular, as another way of optimising uptime through 24/7 service availability,”she says. “This is another way that Scania works to ensure customer’s equipment availability and operational success.”

the high regard in which mining-related customers already hold Scania’s range of truck offerings – allowing Scania to continue rolling out its broad transport solution to mines. “Our comprehensive infrastructure around Africa allows cus- tomers to rest assured that support and parts are always readily at hand, ensuring high uptime, longer vehicle life and lower total cost of ownership. Our modular design and component philosophy also means interchangeability of components, and a 95% immediate parts availability.” According to Adams-Kruger, a prom- inent South African quarry company has already notched up 6 000 hours with the G410 heavy tipper and has only praise for its performance and reliability. A contractor at a zinc mine in southern Namibia is also using the Scania G410 8 x 4 tipper, with these vehicles already exceed- ing 11 000 hours in the field. “Apart from the tipper’s improved environmental performance in compari- son to yellow metal competitors in terms of fuel efficiency and carbon footprint, it still delivers the punch that operators require in demanding conditions,” she says. “In this application, the recom- mended specification was 12 mm steel

www.scania.co.za

Report and photographs by Paul Crankshaw

Pictured in front of the G460 8 x 4 tipper at the recently-held Futuroad show at Nasrec, from left: Scania key account manager Mining Charnie-Lee Adams-Kruger; Anders Friberg, general manager Vehicle Sales and Export at Scania South Africa; and Ruben Govender, also a key account manager Mining at Scania.

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MODERN QUARRYING October - November 2017