Red 5 Limited is using a fleet of Volvo Construction Equipment articulated haulers at its underground gold mines in Western Australia. CJD Equipment and Volvo have worked with Red 5 Limited to build these machines to mine specifications in order for the haulers to work underground. The Volvo A45G articulated haulers have helped the company to increase productivity while reducing fuel consumption and maintenance costs.
Red 5 Limited is an Australian gold producer that operates the Darlot and King of the Hills (KOTH) gold mines 900 km northeast of Perth in the Eastern Goldfields region of Western Australia. Since completing the acquisition of these two mines, Red 5 has efficaciously ramped up production across the operations to more than 100,000 ounces of gold per annum.
There’s no doubt that a factor of this success can be credited to Red 5 Limited’s fleet of high-performing Volvo articulated haulers acquired in 2018, that are boosting productivity and slashing fuel consumption by more than 50% for the company. Maintenance costs have been significantly reduced, and mean time to repair has seen an enormous improvement. Thanks to Volvo, hauler availability on site is at an all-time high for Red 5 Limited.
Typically not an underground machine, the A45G’s underwent modifications to fit to mine specifications. Australian distributor for Volvo Construction Equipment, CJD Equipment built these A45G artic haulers with the following additions:
- Fit exhaust Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
- Flame resistant fuel lines
- Ceramic Coated Exhaust Components and insulation
- AFFF Fire Suppression
- Fit additional heavy-duty steel plates to front bumper for protection
- Electrical corrosion protection to harness
- Additional LED lighting
- Live Oil Sample Points
- Fluid evacuation points
- Normal mine site fit out including isolators, E-stops, wheel chocks, hand rails
After over 16,500 fleet hours worked, CJD Equipment received some great feedback from their client in the WA Goldfields.
“These trucks have been a game changer for our operations,” said Geoff Hart, maintenance superintendent at Darlot Gold Mine. “There was some hesitation initially within the group, as we were doing something different from the rest of the industry, but one year on and I would have no hesitation in recommending a fleet of Volvo articulated haulers.”
Hart says switching from the dedicated underground haulers this site was previously running to the Volvo A45G articulated haulers has dramatically reduced maintenance costs and hugely improved average repair time. With an anticipated tyre life of around 4,500 hours, tyre costs are expected to be well below the previous fleet. In addition, the mine has seen improved speed on grade thanks to the haulers’ tailgates, which have helped to keep the decline free from debris.
“Volvo’s A45Gs tick all of the boxes — reduced capital cost, reduced maintenance cost, increased productivity, and the drivers love them,” Hart said.
With a rated load capacity of 41,000 kg, the 41-ton rated A45G hauler is designed for higher productivity while reducing overall fuel consumption, so customers can move more for less. Technology on the machines include the optional on-board weighing system, which boosts fuel efficiency and reduces machine wear by guaranteeing an optimal load every cycle. With the on-board weighing system, average payloads are sitting at around 97.5%. Other features include the Volvo drivetrain, automatic traction control, all-terrain bogie and hydro-mechanical steering.
Red 5 Limited currently own a fleet of Volvo machines including three A45G articulated haulers, one L260H wheel loader and several Volvo Integrated Tool Carriers from CJD Equipment. Thanks to their strong and lasting relationship with CJD Equipment, Red 5 Limited relies on the CJD team for support, repairs and additional work.
