CEN JUL
2
COVER
STORY
AMONG THE MORE SUCCESSFUL OPERATORS
in the Gauteng region is Klipfontein
Sands, which has operated in the Chloorkop area of Kempton Park for over 20 years. During
this time, the company has gone from success to success using its own formula to break,
excavate, process and haul a variety of sand and aggregate products to customers throughout
the region.
The company has carefully selected the machinery required to work dependably within the
company’s harsh, rocky environment, while delivering cost effective returns per ton moved.
Not surprisingly, the mine has specified Komatsu machines for all mission-critical loading
operations, including both excavations and loading work.
King of the quarry
According to Klipfontein Sands’ Transport Manager, Harry Christou, the mine standardised
on Komatsu excavators many years ago owing to the efficient and unwavering reliability
of the machines. Having tried a variety of other excavator brands since the quarry became
operational, it was observed that the Komatsu machines are unmatched in terms of day-to-
day production capability and reliability.
With a variety of different machines under his watchful eye, Harry is also an astute record
keeper, with full operational records of every piece of equipment on the mine. These same
records continue to contribute to the company’s ongoing decision to renew its fleet with the
latest, most suitable replacement machine from Komatsu.
He comments, “In order to be profitable, we have to work to very tight production schedules
with only the best equipment. From the pit, where the PC300 excavators begin the process,
to the final loading with WA430 loaders, we are able to extract the maximum efficiency with
the use of the right machines for the job.”
He notes that in future the mine will have the ability to monitor performance of all the new
PC300-8 excavators, as well as the WA430-6 wheel loaders, even more closely, as the new
equipment is outfitted with Komatsu’s Komtrax onboard management system. The system
enables operational monitoring of each machine, as well as fuel consumption and the overall
efficiency of both the machine and the operator.
Successful aggregate
and sand miners
demand absolute
efficiency to carve a
living from the bare
earth, relying on
efficient and reliable
machinery to bring
their comparatively low
cost commodity to the
market profitably.
Above:
Hard at work on the Klipfontein Sands
quarry, the Komatsu WA430 wheel loaders are
strong and heavy enough to undertake high-
production workloads, along with the agility to
get around the quarry easily.
Komatsu thrives
