Letṡeng Diamonds, one of the world’s leading producers of large high-value rough diamonds, has reported impressive performance gains after introducing new Volvo machines into its Lesotho mining operations. Supported by Babcock – the exclusive dealer and aftermarket partner for Volvo Construction Equipment in southern Africa – the fleet has delivered strong reliability, reduced fuel burn and measurable improvements in total cost of ownership.
Situated in the Maluti Mountains of the Lesotho highlands, Letṡeng operates in one of the most demanding mining environments on the continent. With extreme altitude, harsh climatic conditions and a high-pressure production profile, machine selection is critical. For Director of Operations, Gideon Scheepers, the decision to partner with Babcock and Volvo was driven by the need for equipment and support solutions that could perform reliably under these unique conditions.
“From our very first interaction, the Babcock team was responsive, knowledgeable and committed to understanding our site’s specific challenges,” says Scheepers. “They applied themselves extremely well to ensure the machines were correctly specified for altitude and the harsh environment we operate in. That gave us confidence that the solution being proposed was not generic but tailored for Letṡeng.”
Reliability that protects production
The Volvo machines were introduced into primary production roles where uptime has a direct and immediate impact on output. The equipment is responsible for feeding run-of-mine ore from stockpiles into Letṡeng’s processing plants – an application where even short periods of downtime can translate into significant revenue loss.
“So far, machine reliability has been excellent,” says Scheepers. “The equipment is performing exactly as expected, and the uptime we are seeing has supported our production targets consistently. Machine downtime equals production loss, and production loss equals revenue loss, so reliability is a key metric for us.”
He says the strong support record that Volvo and Babcock have demonstrated at other operations in Lesotho also influenced the procurement decision. “Babcock’s regional capability, particularly the Bloemfontein team, has been outstanding. They are an expert team that knows our environment and our requirements.”
Aftermarket support that keeps operations moving
Scheepers describes the Babcock support experience as “excellent all around”, highlighting predictable parts availability, skilled technical support and fast mobilisation when urgent assistance is required.
“Getting rapid support on site has never been an issue. Every time we have required something, whether parts or technical expertise, Babcock has responded quickly. That level of service gives us confidence in the long-term viability of the fleet.”
Although Letṡeng uses its own well-established maintenance frameworks across its broader fleet, the mine appreciates Babcock’s remote monitoring capability and proactive performance checks through Volvo telematics.
“We know that the Babcock team is keeping an eye on the machines in the background, and they alert us when something needs attention. Even though we do not use telematics continuously, the additional layer of support is valuable.”
Fuel efficiency supporting sustainability commitments
As part of the publicly listed Gem Diamonds Group, Letṡeng is committed to responsible environmental stewardship, including reducing carbon emissions over time. Fuel burn rates, energy efficiency and lifecycle emissions all play a role in the mine’s sustainability strategy.
“The Volvo equipment has delivered exactly what was promised – higher productivity at lower fuel burn rates,” says Scheepers. “After several months of operation, it is clear that these efficiencies are real and not theoretical. The reduced fuel consumption supports both our sustainability goals and our cost base.”
A partnership built on shared value
Beyond performance indicators, Scheepers highlights the strength of the overall partnership between Letseng Diamonds, Volvo and Babcock.
“The relationship has been jointly beneficial for all involved,” he says. “The machines are comfortable to operate, our operators are satisfied, and the overall cost of ownership - including service, maintenance, fuel efficiency and uptime - has been excellent. When you combine that with competitive capital pricing, it is a solution that makes sense operationally and financially.”
Letṡeng Diamonds’ positive experience reinforces the role that OEM-dealer partnerships can play in improving productivity and sustainability across Africa’s mining sector. With the support of Babcock’s technical expertise, regional footprint and aftermarket capability, the mine has achieved measurable operational improvements and long-term value.
