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Caterpillar has announced intentions to present its unmatched range of innovative technologies and services at Mining Indaba billed for February 5-8 in Cape Town, South Africa.
With a focus on optimizing operations, whether surface or underground, large or small, Caterpillar and Cat® dealers are dedicated to working with mining companies to resolve the issues that are most important to their success.
The Caterpillar exhibit will feature digital displays of electric power generation systems, surface and underground mining equipment, and Cat MineStar™ technology capabilities—ranging from vehicle safety systems such as object detection to production systems using semi-autonomous and autonomous machine operation.
“Caterpillar is a Gold Sponsor of Mining Indaba, because we and our regional Cat dealers are invested in the African mining industry,”
said Michael Latham, region manager for Caterpillar’s mining business in southern Africa.
Latham said the company’s objective is to help customers succeed by partnering with them to meet the challenges that they face.
“Through the use of Cat technologies, equipment and support services we can help customers boost safety and productivity while driving down costs.”
Barloworld Equipment, the Cat dealer in southern Africa, and Caterpillar will staff the Mining Indaba exhibit with experienced personnel able to provide both technical information and practical insights.
Additionally, Cat Financial personnel will be on hand to discuss customized finance—for both projects and equipment—and extended protection solutions designed to keep business moving forward.
Caterpillar recently announced a number of milestones as new underground mining machines are deployed, a mine development system using leading edge rock cutting technology is tested, and development of a battery-electric underground loader progresses.
“Over the past few months we have delivered the first AD22 articulated underground trucks—three of them to Glencore’s Mopani Copper Mines in Kitwe, Zambia,” said David Rea, global director of sales and product support for Caterpillar’s Underground Mining Division.
“At 22 tonnes capacity, the AD22 is the smallest underground truck in the Cat line, yet it offers greater payload than competitors’ trucks in the size class. It’s a robust and maneuverable design that will serve well in smaller underground areas.”
Regional Cat dealers also recently delivered a number of new R1700 underground loaders, the first of the next generation of Cat LHDs.
The new loader is designed to help customers lower cost per ton through increased payload, improved pile penetration and greater breakout force.
As a safe and productive alternative to in-cab operation, Cat Command technology enables teleremote and semi-autonomous operation of the new LHD and others in the Cat line.
“Caterpillar continues to invest in research and development to address the needs that mining customers voice to us,” Rea said.
“For example, testing work continues on our RH55 Rockheader, which is designed to deliver rapid, cost effective mine development using our proprietary rock cutting technology. And we recently took our proof of concept battery-electric LHD underground for testing. We are driving forward with new technologies.”
Caterpillar and Barloworld are currently installing a 7 MW solar power system at B2Gold Corporation’s Otjikoto Mine in Namibia.
The full system, including Cat photovoltaic solar modules and the Cat microgrid master controller, will be used to reduce reliance on a heavy fuel oil power plant currently used to power the mining facility.
Barloworld is supplying engineering, procurement and construction services for the project.
