The haulage of high volumes demands large equipment.
PATRONELLA MOCHOLO
TALKS ABOUT EXXARO’S FLEET
Managing mining company Exxaro’s fleet is no menial task. Leon Louw
asks Patronella Mocholo, Exxaro principal engineer, mobile equipment and
technology, a few questions.
Patronella, what equipment does Exxaro
use most?
Which standards, requirements and conditions
does an equipment supplier to Exxaro need to
adhere to, to be able to be considered in the
procurement process?
Exxaro’s operations span seven sites across the
coal-rich provinces and produce high-quality
thermal, metallurgical, and coking coal for both
domestic and export markets. Most of these
mines are open cast operations, so we make use
of equipment like trucks, shovels, loaders, drills
and dozers to mine and haul the coal.
What is Exxaro’s procurement strategy in
terms of mining equipment?
We aim to procure equipment suitable for
our life of mine plans in terms of operational
efficiency, safety and cost-effectiveness.
SANS, ISO, BEE compliance, as well as the MHSA
requirements.
Does Exxaro partake in any research initiatives
or partnerships with South African based
equipment manufacturers?
IN THE STOPE
Patronella Mocholo, Exxaro principal
engineer, mobile equipment and
technology.
Does the company have a prescribed
procurement strategy for the full portfolio,
or does each individual mine procure its own equipment?
Each individual mine procures its equipment in alignment with the group
wide strategy.
62
African Mining September 2019
Whenever a business need arises, the company
conducts feasibility studies and any other research
together with local businesses to establish suitable
solutions. A good example is the recent collaboration
between Exxaro and suppliers developing Proximity
Detection Systems (PDS), to ensure that we develop and
implement suitable solutions for collision management.
What is the maintenance regime and standards at Exxaro
operations?
Exxaro has physical asset management standards that guide the plants,
www. africanmining.co.za