UG LOAD AND HAUL
Teleremote operation of Caterpillar LHD using Command for Underground
productively for about two years . Two RH2900G LHDs are also achieving success with Command for Underground at Sandfire .
In terms of drive systems and powertrains , Caterpillar told IM it “ continues to research and develop alternate motive power systems for underground hard rock machines . Remember that Caterpillar has a long history of supplying battery-powered scoops for utility use in underground coal mines . With more than 40 years of scoop engineering and manufacturing experience and more than 6,500 battery-powered units produced , Caterpillar and its predecessors have developed and refined a low-maintenance and efficient utility vehicle . The Cat SU488 is the most popular low-profile scoop in underground coal operations .” So it seems that battery hard rock products may not be too far off .
On helping underground load and haul customers address the difficult market conditions , Caterpillar says it is working to optimise machine life and component life to reduce total cost of ownership for customers . Sean Gladieux , Product Manager , Cat MineStar Health & Cat Equipment Care Advisor states : “ In the Caterpillar Global Mining Division , we rely on Cat dealers ’ condition monitoring analysts to make fact-based decisions about the optimum time to replace components . Assisting the dealer analyst are powerful applications such as Cat Equipment Care Advisor ( ECA ), which automates data correlation and , via the use of analytics , determines when a component or system is deviating from optimum performance . ECA also harnesses lessons learned around the world from all our dealer and customer fleets through the collective sharing of knowledge . Going forward , additional enhancements in applications such as ECA will introduce risk calculations to inform the analyst of the likelihood that a system or component can run until the next planned interval .”
On the trucks , the AD60 has been designed for high productivity and reliability , and long duty cycles . The truck is equipped with a Cat ® C27 engine , which features ACERT™ Technology that provides good low-end response and efficient fuel usage . The result is lower overall cost per tonne , says Caterpillar . “ The design of the tray also contributes to lower cost per tonne . The curves and shape of the tray promote wet material releasing from the tray to reduce carryback . Even the smallest amount of carryback can affect the overall productivity of the mine and contribute to as much as 5 % loss in material being taken to the surface each haul ”, says Daniel Hawkins , Technical Marketing Representative . The truck is performing well in the field , and a major new order for 12 trucks is going to Stornoway ’ s Renard diamond mine in Quebec .
GHH Fahrzeuge
GHH ’ s range of products includes machinery from proven technology to highly sophisticated hydrostatic drive train based machines and super
GHH LF-21H ( high reach z-link for truck loading ) with 10.5m 3 hard rock bucket low profile loaders for applications in tough mining and tunnelling conditions . The current GHH portfolio includes diesel LHDs with payloads from 3 to 21 t ; diesel Super Low Profile LHDs ( SLPs ) with payloads from 5 to 14 t ; electric LHDs with payloads from 10 to 21 t ; and dump trucks with payloads from 15 to 60 t .
“ All GHH models are designed around the extremely robust GHH frame and system design aiming at low operating costs and long lifetime . GHH Fahrzeuge is continuously working on new developments as well as implementing new emissions standards in order to be able to provide LHDs and dump trucks for high-tech ( Tier 4 interim and final / COM IIIB and COM IV with DPF ) as well as plain technology markets ( Tier 3 / COM IIIA and below ).”
GHH currently maintains subsidiaries in Australia , Chile , China , Russia , Poland and South Africa while covering most of the other countries through a comprehensive network of dealers in order to provide market coverage and service as well as to ensure close customer contact .
“ As a member of the Schmidt , Kranz & Co . ( SK ) Group , GHH Fahrzeuge can access an extensive network of Germany-based companies with a product portfolio covering large parts of the mining sector . Thus , the SK Group can provide extensive lifecycle solutions , encompassing the whole range of mining machinery and adjacent services .”
The steel frame of GHH machines is designed for ultra-high-cycle-fatigue and thus maximises lifetime . “ After a complete rebuild at one of our facilities the machines can enter into their second life for almost the same time again . In the current market environment we also understand the growing importance of our aftersales support . If breakdowns occur it is all about time . Since our machines are running in mines around the globe we increased spare parts stock at our subsidiaries and distributors in order to keep availability as high as possible . Furthermore we
International Mining | JUNE 2016