CEN JUL
3
Tortuous conditions
“Our quarry is a hot, rocky and rough environment. It produces everything from building and
crusher sand to fine, medium and large diameter aggregates, as well as filling materials and
rock for drainage and other projects,” he says.
From past experience, Klipfontein Sands’ General Manager, Bennie Botha, believes that the
type of machines employed in the quarry need to be versatile, with the ability to work in fine
sand environments one moment and later, move to back-breaking rock or shale excavations.
“In our operation, the PC300 series machines are ideal. At 31 tons with a 194kW engine,
they are strong and heavy enough to undertake high-production workloads and with an
overall length of 11m and a track length of just 3.7m, they are agile enough to get around
the quarry easily. The advanced hydraulics also allow for fast swing and operational speeds
without sacrificing power.”
He continues, “The WA430 wheel loaders are suited equally well to the processing yard.
After crushing and sizing, the final product is ready for loading and final delivery. In this
environment the WA430 loaders provide the right combination of power and size, in a fast
and manoeuvrable package, to ensure that tipper and bulk carrying trucks are loaded quickly
and efficiently for delivery to customers.”
About the company
Klipfontein Sands is a quarry supplying bulk sand and aggregates to the building and construction
industry. Since its establishment, the company has grown and expanded its operation, relying on
astute hands-on management and careful selection of capital equipment.
Equally important in the success of the operation is service and back-up from its suppliers, in
order to ensure minimal disruption of production for planned and unplanned maintenance.
“We can’t afford extended downtime and, as a result, select suppliers that can provide us
with the type of service and support we require. Komatsu fulfils our requirement for quality
of equipment and aftersales support and we look forward to an ongoing good relationship
between our companies in future,” Harry says in conclusion.
Klipfontein Sands’ Transport Manager,
Harry Christou,
says that Komatsu fulfils
requirements for quality of equipment
and after sales support.
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.
on hard labour
