In a move that clearly underlines its total migration from the use of conventional yellow metal haulers, PPC Slurry has further added three more units of the construction-type Scania mining tippers. The new acquisitions bring to seven the number of Scania’s G410CB8x4EHZ mining tippers operating at Slurry.
Construction World attended the handover ceremony at PPC Slurry in Mafikeng, North West Province, on 12 December 2017, where Andre Niemand, technical advisor: Mining at PPC Slurry, stated that Scania’s willingness to tailor the trucks to Slurry’s unique specifications, and the lower total operating costs, were the major reasons behind the buying decision.
PPC recently invested R1,7-billion to upgrade Slurry’s Kiln 9, which is scheduled for its first clinker production at the start of 2018.
In terms of operating costs, Niemand highlights that as much as a 20% saving on maintenance costs is being achieved, compared with the conventional range of rigid haulers the company used to run. The truck’s lighter body also translates into increased payload and lower fuel consumption. Massive fuel savings, as high as 50% compared with the previous range of conventional yellow metal haulers, are being realised.
Following extensive consultations between Scania South Africa and PPC Slurry, several improvements have been made to the new range of tippers recently delivered. The major improvement relates to the bin, which was previously a major concern on the early Scania units Slurry bought. Scania took Slurry management to about four body builders and Slurry eventually settled for Benla Enterprises, which ticked all the right boxes in terms of meeting the customer’s needs.
Anders Friberg, general manager – Vehicle Sales & Export at Scania South Africa looks on as Amos Mabetha hands over the keys to one of the PPC drivers.
The bin has since been designed in line with Slurry’s expectations. A double hydraulic cylinder was one of the key motivators of the sale as it addressed both safety and dumping speed concerns. Niemand says the dual hydraulic cylinders have since improved speed of tipping and stability of the bin. Early trials have indicated an improvement of about a minute in tipping time compared with the previous bins. The material used to make the bins is also suited for real heavy duty mining. The lifetime of the product has since improved through addressing all the stress points in the body. Inside the bin, to reduce carryback, bin corners have been engineered to a “bath tub” effect to allow for smooth flow of material.
