LOAD & HAUL
Although the industry has faced challenges, Chirano has managed to maintain
profi tability by making major adjustments and innovations, most notably by transitioning from contract mining to self-perform
importance of providing a reliable maintenance and repair service. Its on-site workshop, staff ed by eight technicians dedicated to Chirano, ensures an immediate response to any issues with Volvo machines. “T ese technicians keep the equipment downtime as short as possible, which optimises the productivity of the mine,” says Pylyser. “What’s unique is that the 8x4
tipper trucks are going in the underground mine and the 10x4 tipper trucks are going to the open pit. In both locations, they are assisted by Volvo articulated haulers and other supporting machines,” says Pylyser. With their sharp articulation and good steering, the articulated haulers are particularly suited to underground mining operations. Mine superintendent for open- pit operations, Paul Arwona Bejele, explains that “very smart decisions” had to be made to be able to keep production costs down. “In open-pit mining in particular, one of the high-cost areas is haulage,” he says. “At Chirano, we found it smart to go with Volvo. T e fuel consumption is low and they have high manoeuvrability, which means we do not need to mine huge areas to be able to provide access for them. And, they are quick in reaching the dumping points and getting back to the pits.”
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With fuel consumption being the biggest annual cost to Chirano, second only to labour, the savings have been considerable. “All Volvo machines are equipped with Volvo engines, which have high torque at low RPM,” explains Schmitt. “T at gives the customer the benefi t of low fuel consumption, which means lower operational costs.” T e machines also operate on fewer liquids – another saving. “We have designed the machines so that they need fewer service intervals, which means less need for maintenance liquids such as oil, lubricants and coolants,” says Schmitt. “For example over a 12,000-hour run with an articulated hauler you need approximately one-third less liquid than some other machines.”
Popular among operators T e articulated haulers are incredibly popular with operators on-site. With one hand resting proudly on the towering yellow hulk of his machine, operator Collins Hudekpor explains what makes it great to work with. “You can use it very easily in narrow spaces and it is very fast in dumping. And it doesn’t get stuck when we are working in muddy areas,” he says. “But I think my favourite part of this hauler is that the retardation system is very eff ective, and you don’t have to use the brakes so much when on a decline.”
Bejele is another big fan of the
articulated hauler. “It is a rugged, all-purpose, all-conditions machine. It is my machine of choice for the industry.” Standing at the end of one of the massive open pits, surveying the machines as they make their way along the undulating rust-coloured roads to tip their loads, he points out the dump capabilities of the haulers. “T ey are very quick to lift the body, even under load, and quick to lower as well. T ese are all elements that shorten cycle times which means productivity increases – it is one of the ways that is helping us survive this very tight economic period for mining operations,” he says. Chirano underground mine manager Raphael Komla Okai worked
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