REBUILDS AND RENTALS
With new equipment buys being a big part of AMT ’ s business to create a stock for new sales and rentals , how can it predict annually how many units and what types to buy from the OEM ? “ Our sales group is very engaged with our customer base and spend a lot of time on the road so we have a great feel for what projects are coming up and what is being permitted , plus what funding is out there for different projects . And watching what is happening with commodity pricing in the background . Of course we never get it 100 % right but we are at that point where whatever we order we know is going to be deployed , and we have the used equipment line to fill any gaps that do come up .”
AMT says it carefully considers the unique needs and readiness of each customer when introducing the latest technologies . “ We understand that not every operation currently has the facilities or workforce to fully integrate and maintain these advanced technologies . For example , while there is significant interest in BEVs , we recognise that not all operations are ready to transition at this moment . BEVs are still accumulating real-world operating hours , especially in production environments . Plus all the other questions around infrastructure – is the mine set up with the right electric supply ; does it have the right ventilation requirements ; are the right technicians available to support the machines ; and does the OEM have the right support in place ?”
With conventional equipment there is still a lot of room to improve it , such as with more efficient and higher Tier engines in particular . “ But of course as a company we are keeping abreast of what is happening in the BEV space . Plus We offer the Kovatera battery machines – and lots of mines are in a position to use that because it isn ’ t a primary fleet machine so the risk and cost involved is lower for us and for the customer but it gets them experience with a high quality BEV machine .”
It is clear that AMT has a special position in the market and one that is likely to continue to grow with the market and evolve with its needs . Underlying it all is a great value proposition for both customers and OEMs ; and ulitmately one that is sustainable as it is finding new homes for used equipment instead of it being idled or scrapped .
QME ’ s commitment to quality
Quarry & Mining Equipment Ltd ( QME ), based in Navan , Ireland , is a world leader in supplying top-quality rebuilt and remanufactured surface and underground mining equipment to the mining industry worldwide . Its component division supplies and rebuilds heavy-duty transmissions , differentials , converters and drivelines for all mining and tunnelling
equipment . Spare parts are also supplied to support all equipment . QME has supplied underground and surface mining equipment to Tara Mines ( Boliden ), Lundin Mining , Barrick , De Beers , Vedanta and many others .
The company states : “ Our workshops can offer from basic equipment repairs up to full frame up rebuild to OEM specifications . We strip the machine down to the frame , crack test , strengthen where required and then fully rebuild the machine back to OEM specifications using new or refurbished genuine OEM components and spare parts depending on end user requirements . We create a bespoke offering based on our clients requirements offering flexible rebuild and refurbishment options to suit end users budgets .”
The QME rebuild process allows the end user to schedule the rebuild at an appropriate time in the equipment life cycle and then extend it ’ s life span to get a second life at a fraction of the cost of a new machine . The time for rebuild will also be significantly less than the current lead times for new machines thus allowing an increase in production rates .
Recently completed projects include a fully rebuilt Sandvik LH514 , with zero hour components and warranty ; this loader has been completely rebuilt from the frame up .
And in a similar way to AMT , QME also offers rental and ownership opportunities for new and used mining and tunnelling equipment . “ As a result of industry involvement QME has established close associations with globally recognised OEMs , allowing us to offer the end user the equipment of choice with lowest possible total cost of ownership . Our full range of new mining & tunneling equipment are backed with full factory warranty , technical support , OEM parts and a network of local and regional service centres .”
Various business models are designed with mining companies & tunnelling contractors in mind , as well as start-up mining operations which may wish to defer spending capital on expensive equipment for use in another area until positive cash flow is realised . Fixed rental
QME recently completed a full frame up rebuild of a Sandvik LH514
payments simplify budget planning and can be 100 % tax deductible against business income .
Rent & return is an option that allows the customers to return the equipment with no commitment to purchase ; while rent & purchase allows the customer to rent with an option to purchase the equipment following a minimum one year rental period with a percentage of the rental payments deductible from the pre-agreed purchase price . A rolling replacement allows the customer to return equipment to QME following a three year rental , and replace it with new equipment for another three year term or preagreed period . Finally , QME offers offer bridging units & used equipment for outright sale on an AIWI basis , or can negotiate a rental-purchase program to suit individual requirements .
HIMESA – leading the way in underground equipment battery conversions
Another European specialist is Hidráulica y Mecánica Sallentina ( HIMESA ), based in Sallent , near Barcelona in Spain . It offers full rebuild and refurbishment services but it has also been leading the charge in Europe for underground mining equipment conversions to battery electric in recent years , working closely with OEM partner Epiroc .
From a small workshop , HIMESA has rapidly expanded to become a leading company in the mining sector and the driver behind the conversions is partly due to its key partnerships with local mines , including the ICL-owned Iberpotash operation for which HIMESA is the Epiroc dealer . A major factor in conversion demand has also been that the Spanish and wider European governments have mandated that all underground mines have to reduce the emissions from larger machines such as loaders and trucks by 2030 .
HIMESA says it is committed to the repair , adaptation and electrification of mining machinery in order to give it a second useful life
FEBRUARY 2025 | International Mining 65