LOAD & HAUL
Machines and trucks off er unsurpassed manoeuvrability, enabling operators to work effi ciently and safely deep underground
on the mine before it changed to self-perform. He remembers how the previous contractors used heavy- duty machines underground, which were expensive and had high running costs. When the company made the decision to go with Volvo, he had some concerns. “Initially we thought the FMX trucks were not really meant for underground operations, but two years later we can see that they are really effi cient,” Okai says. At fi rst, Okai’s concerns were deemed valid in that these types of trucks would not traditionally be used underground. However, Norris witnessed them operate successfully underground in Spain and Peru, and
recommended them for the operation in Ghana. T ese days, no one in the mine blinks an eye when they see the FMX trucks alongside the articulated haulers steadily making their way 300-500m below the earth’s surface. “In Africa, we are pioneers in using these types of trucks underground and I think a lot of people are taking notice,” says Norris. “T at’s the importance of surviving in this lower commodity and gold price cycle – you need to be innovative and fi nd diff erent ways of doing things.” T e working life of this mine is
projected to last until 2020, but as Chirano continues to carry out
exploration and discover additional reserves, the mine’s lifespan has the potential to extend – and Volvo is credited with playing a part in making that possible. By reducing production costs, Chirano has been able to look at fresh opportunities to mine new gold resources that might have not been profi table to exploit before now. “T at’s a big advantage for us,” says Norris. “Lowering our costs to mine gold by using a more effi cient and overall lower-cost piece of equipment opens doors and opportunities to extend mine life.”
For more information visit
www.volvo.com
www.engineerlive.com 17
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