Spotlight Feature Articles Joy Global Undergroud Load and Haul June 16 | Page 2
UG LOAD AND HAUL
Paul Moore looks in detail at
underground trucks and LHDs,
including what the main issues
are and how these are interpreted
in product development by the
major OEMs
Availability with attitude
T
he underground load and haul market is
highly competitive; still dominated by
diesel machines but with increasing
interest in electric and particularly battery
models. However, in the current market, many
customers just want higher reliability and to
some extent simpler machines to make it easier
to maintain their fleet.
Christian Riedel, Head of Product Strategy at
GHH states: “Our client’s KPI cost per tonne is
under increasing pressure and the most
effective way to keep this number low is to keep
mechanical availability as high as possible. We
can guarantee that by means of both, our
machine design and service. The robust design
of our machines has never been valued higher
by our customers and they are reassured by our
‘keep it safe and simple’ approach.”
At the same time they also want good data
acquisition to be able to properly measure
health and performance so some of the most
technology averse customers are now wanting
some on-board analysis capabilities.
Aftermarket and rebuilds are also an
important focus in the current market. Sandvik
as an example says it is currently putting strong
focus on aftermarket and support functions to
ensure high utilisation and service level.
Markus Eklind, Product Line Manager –
Underground Material Handling at Atlas Copco
states: “In general the mines are looking for
products that transport more tonnes per energy
unit, provide a safe workplace for mine
International Mining | JUNE 2016
personnel and benefit the overall productivity of
the mine at a lower running cost. We also see
that in challenging times like this customers are
asking for complete packages including
financing solutions or rental and aftermarket
services.”
Ever cleaner engines are reducing ventilation
requirements and thus theoretically part of the
need for electric LHDs. It is also true that with
low fuel prices the drive for change is much less.
But from the TCO perspective in the long run the
electric machines may still be the better option.
Looking at total sales across all OEMs, the
tethered range still accounts for less than 3%
and the battery underground load and haul
market remains at an early stage with relatively
few installations.
Atlas Copco states: “It’s clear that more and
more thoughts are around a diesel free
underground mine and for a new large scale
underground mine project it is a viable option
given today’s technology matureness. If that
includes tethered loaders or battery depends on
the size of loader and loading cycles.”
Tier 4 engine integration and introduction and
lowering of emissions further remains a key
market driver, but it is important to also
remember that the mining markets can be
divided into a few T4 and many T3 or even less
regulated markets. Looking into the near future
this will not change although some lesser
regulated states are finally following up with
their own legislation. Riedel states: “The
Sandvik's automation offering is scalable for
different types and sizes of mining operations
biggest hurdle for Tier 4 engine use in many
countries is fuel quality (especially sulphur
content) although at the same time the new
engines have substantial advantages for
clients.” GHH has opted, for example, to be
flexible with T3 being the smallest common
denominator. “Other regions will continue to
use non-certified engines ( such as air cooled)
for reasons of simplicity and even poorer fuel
quality.”
Automation is coming of age across both full
autonomous and “light” options but automation
is often discussed ahead of radio remote, which
remains a mainstay. For example, in the last
decade Atlas Copco has seen Radio Remote
Control being selected as an option on 40% of
all its loaders globally and almost 100% in
certain markets. “In recent years we see that in
certain markets the customers are demanding
remote control ability above line-of-sight. These
types of remote operation possibilities offer
greater flexibility and a lower infrastructure
demand than autonomous operation.”
Sandvik
On automation, Sandvik believes that there is a
need and demand for both “full automation”
and “light automation” while the decision on
the approach depends on each customer’s
mining method and application. Tomi Pikala,