WORLD PROSPECTS
Since being launched in 2023 , these loaders have had significant market uptake – thanks to these traits , as well as the increased payload benefits they offer over the diesel-only equivalent .
In Australia , Gold Fields , MMG and WestGold now have units on their books . In Egypt , Centamin ’ s Sukari underground gold mine also has R2900 XEs within its fleet . Other loaders have also made their way to Africa , with the first two of a nine-strong fleet having already arrived at the Newmont-owned Subika underground mine in Ghana .
Alamos Gold is the latest company to joint this list . In its June quarter results , the company said its Young-Davidson mine had been positively impacted by the arrival of two of these machines .
Young-Davidson is accessed via two shafts and a ramp system to a depth of 1,500 m . The operation uses large modern equipment , high productivity bulk mining methods ( long hole open stoping ) and paste backfill . LHDs load , haul and transfer stope production to the ore pass system from where it is hoisted to the surface
with minimal ore and waste re-handling . A multiyear expansion of Young-Davidson was completed July 2020 with the transition to newly constructed lower mine infrastructure which is larger , highly automated and more productive . The lower mine infrastructure is designed to operate at 8,000 t / d and replaces the mid-mine infrastructure which was designed for 6,000 t / d .
In the three-month period ended June 30 , Young-Davidson produced 44,000 oz of gold , 10 % higher than the March quarter and slightly lower than the prior year period . Underground mining rates averaged 7,885 t / d in this quarter , a significant increase from the March quarter , reflecting the delivery of these new “ hybrid production scoops ” and temporary downtime during the previous quarter to replace the head ropes in the Northgate shaft , Alamos noted .
The new loaders have replaced two R2900G XTRA loaders and one R1700 loader , the company told z . The standard R2900G comes with a payload of 17.2 t , whereas the R1700 has a 15-t payload . The R2900 XE offers 18.5 t of payload . The gold miner said it was expecting this increased payload and power to boost the loader ’ s productivity by 101.6 % ( on a tonnes per hour basis ) when compared with the R2900G .
Alamos also highlighted the reduction in emissions expected to be achieved with the new diesel-electric loaders , explaining that fuel consumption was estimated to come in 34 % lower than the R2900G , with 54.9 % lower CO 2 emissions during “ high idle ”.
The gold miner said its Young-Davidson operation was planning to purchase one new Cat R2900 XE unit “ every year ” for the foreseeable future . https :// alamosgold . com
Improved Cat ® 6020 shovel delivers high uptime
Powering through the toughest materials , the Cat ® 6020 Hydraulic Mining Shovel meets the mining industry ’ s need for durable , reliable and highly efficient digging performance . To align with the rest of the Cat hydraulic mining shovel lineup , the model nomenclature has been updated from the Cat 6020B to the 6020 .
Today ’ s 6020 shovel Caterpillar says offers the same features , fast cycle times and high reliability as its predecessor . “ Offering powerful performance , the next generation of engine powering the machine delivers improved reliability . Plus , the 6020 ’ s hydraulic optimisation dynamically assigns individual pumps or groups of pumps to deliver the exact flow pressure that each hydraulic function requires . This reduces waste and heat , prolongs component lives , and improves fuel consumption .”
The new Cat C32B replaces the previous Cat 32 engine to offer more reliable and durable operation . With designs certified to meet a range of emissions standards worldwide , the new C32B engine is a direct replacement for the C32 . No additional hardware is required for engine replacement to upgrade existing machines in the field . The C32B offers the same 776 kW ( 1,040 hp ) rated power as its predecessor .
Higher flow oil and baffles in the oil cooler keep the engine core cooled and lubricated , while the engine ’ s new cylinder head with optimised water jacket maximises heat transfer . The C32B ’ s ability to deliver higher power in certain applications comes from increased piston compression height .
An updated crankshaft and connecting rods with larger journals increase durability by reducing contact pressure and optimising bearing performance , while a new cylinder block helps increase structural capability . All valves are equipped with oil metering stem seals and reduced contact pressure geometry for maximum life .
Increasing reliability , a thicker shim gasket reduces the risk of head-to-block oil leaks . More durable exhaust valves , especially when operating at high power , reduce the chance of exhaust valve failures . Dual sensor coolant protection detects potential coolant leaks sooner than the previous capabilities to avoid costly downtime .
Hydraulic optimisation for the 6020 shovel dynamically assigns individual pumps or groups of pumps to deliver the exact flow and pressure required by each hydraulic function . Reducing waste and excess heat buildup , hydraulic optimisation provides efficient use of the engine for greater productivity , less energy and fuel consumption , and reduced component wear . With its 22 t ( 24-ton ) payload , the 6020 efficiently loads the Cat 775 truck in three passes , 777 in four passes , 785 in six passes and 789 in eight passes .
Designed for operator comfort , the next generation cab on the 6020 offers class-leading visibility for operating productively , safely and efficiently . Electronic-hydraulic servo joystick control delivers fast and precise machine movements with less operator fatigue , while fivecircuit hydraulics allow for simultaneous control of two cylinder motions , two travel motions and swing . The large 254 mm ( 10 in ) high-definition colour touchscreen puts all vital machine and diagnostic data at the operators ’ fingertips . A safer training environment is facilitated by unobstructed views of the digging environment and emergency stop button easily accessible from both training seats .
A range of onboard and optional technology offerings boosts productivity , efficiency and health of the 6020 shovel . The machine ’ s board control system employs multiple sensors to monitor operating data , record faults , and notify the operator audibly and visually for early detection of faults . Factory-ready for Cat MineStar™ Solutions , MineStar Health is fully integrated as an option to deliver critical eventbased and operating data . Also available are MineStar Fleet for real-time machine tracking , assignment and productivity management ; Terrain that enables guidance technology and high-precision management of shovel operators ; and Detect to increase operator awareness and enhance safety . www . cat . com
14 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2024