UTILITY VEHICLES
E15 range,” he told IM.“ At the same time, a common rear chassis was developed for the E15, increasing capacity to a nominal 15 t.”
This sees the common rear chassis of the E15 configurable as a 7 cu. m agitator, delivery truck( flat deck or flat deck with crane), purpose-built tilt tray, as well as various applications still in development.
Young added to this:“ Although the E15 platform is less than two years old, we already have customers clocking up over 10,000 hours, with excellent availability, delivering great value to their operations.”
He concluded:“ We continue to develop new variants for different applications to enable customers to have a complete solution. On this journey, we continue to invest in small improvements driven by the voice of customer to improve what is already a very well accepted base platform.”
Enabling the mine flow
US-headquartered Getman agrees with Elphinstone’ s view that support machines play a critical role in ensuring that people, tools and resources move efficiently throughout an underground mine.
Getman’ s SE cab reflects a move toward operator-centric engineering, according to the company
“ These systems underpin daily operations, enabling maintenance, infrastructure support and the continuous flow of materials required to sustain production,” it told IM.
As underground operations evolve, improvements in safety, productivity and consistency are being driven not only by machine capability, but by how effectively operators can interact with and control that equipment, according to the company, explaining that this shift is placing renewed emphasis on cab design as a key performance factor.
“ Utility equipment operates in confined headings, low-visibility conditions and complex traffic environments where operator awareness directly influences both safety and efficiency,” Getman says.“ In these conditions, visibility, control layout and ergonomics are not secondary considerations; they are central to
40 performance.”
Modern cab configurations, such as Getman’ s SE( Side Entry) cab, reflect a move toward operator-centric engineering, according to the company. The side-entry design improves access and egress in restricted underground spaces, while also enabling optimised cab positioning for improved sight lines to the work area and machine extremities. This is particularly important during tasks such as positioning platforms, handling materials, or navigating congested headings, Getman says.
“ Reducing operator fatigue is equally important,” it adds.“ Intuitive control layouts, improved seating and reduced vibration contribute to sustained focus over long shifts, supporting more consistent operation and reducing the likelihood of errors.
“ In practical terms, this translates to improved cycle efficiency, fewer disruptions and safer working conditions.”
Beyond visibility and ergonomics, air quality within the cab has become a critical factor in underground equipment design. Operators are routinely exposed to respirable dust, diesel particulate matter and other airborne contaminants. As a result, cab environments are increasingly engineered as“ controlled systems” rather than“ passive enclosures”.
Pressurised cab designs on Getman machines maintain positive pressure relative to the surrounding environment, preventing the ingress of dust and contaminants. Filtered air is continuously supplied into the cab, creating a protective barrier around the operator. This approach aligns with standards such as ISO 23875, which define performance expectations for enclosed cabs, including pressurisation, filtration efficiency and system integrity, the company says.
On top of this, the on-board filtration systems are designed to capture fine particulate matter, including respirable crystalline silica. In addition, optional real-time monitoring systems provide continuous feedback on cab pressure, filtration performance and particulate levels.“ These systems enable operators and maintenance personnel to verify that the cab environment remains within acceptable limits and to address issues before performance degrades,” the company says.
These developments are, Getman says, particularly relevant in the context of increasingly stringent regulatory requirements, including updated limits on respirable crystalline silica exposure.
The importance of the operator environment becomes even more pronounced as mining operations adopt multi-purpose support platforms, according to Getman.
Machines such as the Getman A64 Cassette Handler are designed to perform multiple roles using interchangeable cassette systems, allowing a single platform to support fuelling, lubrication, water distribution, waste handling and material transport. Available cassette configurations include fuel and lubrication service modules, water spray systems for dust suppression, sump and vacuum cassettes for waste removal, flat deck transport solutions and other application-specific configurations.
“ This modular approach reduces the number of machines required underground while improving utilisation and operational flexibility,” Getman says.“ At the same time, it increases the demands placed on the operator, who must manage multiple functions within a single shift.”
In these applications, the cab becomes the central control point, whereby clear instrumentation, logical control grouping and responsive system feedback are essential to ensure that increased machine capability does not translate into increased complexity, Getman says.
Sustainability and safety combination
When it comes to complexity, the removal of an internal combustion engine and the addition of batteries and electric motors in these utility and production support platforms is widely expected to reduce future maintenance needs.
This is a perceived benefit that AngloGold Ashanti Brasil will likely test out thanks to the delivery of Brazil’ s first electric concrete mixer at its Cuiabá Mine.
The Cuiabá Mine is part of AGA Mineração, in the state of Minas Gerais, which comprises the Cuiabá complex( Cuiabá and Lamego mines) and the Córrego do Sítio mining operation, plus the Cuiabá and Queiroz gold plants. The Cuiabá complex produced 273,000 oz of gold in 2025
The mining company recently reported that it had begun operating a Normet SmartDrive ® battery-electric Utimec LF 600 Transmixer SD, saying it planned to test the unit over an 18-month period.
It explained:“ The novel technology reinforces the search for solutions that combine sustainability and operational safety. Because it is electric, the concrete mixer does not emit gases underground, improving air quality, reducing heat on the work fronts and the need for forced ventilation.”
Normet said it was proud to support AngloGold Ashanti Brasil in advancing underground electrification at the Cuiabá Mine with Normet SmartDrive technology.
“ Brazil’ s first battery-electric underground concrete mixer brings zero local emissions, lower noise levels and reduced heat underground, with potential to lower
International Mining | MAY 2026