Batchfire continues to invest in a more sustainable future with high-productivity mining equipment from Komatsu which combines power and efficiency, while also improving safety, comfort and emissions.
A brand-new Komatsu PC4000 was recently delivered and constructed at Batchfire Resources’ Callide Mine in Central Queensland, built and tested just one month ahead of its on-site debut.
“What a lot of people don’t realise is mining equipment is so large, in this case 400 tonnes, that much of it has to be transported to site in pieces,” Batchfire Resources Manager of Mining & Production, Matthew Scales explained.
“The bucket alone on this PC4000 weighs upwards of 25.6 tonnes!”
The PC4000 was customised for Batchfire’s unique operational requirements and built to withstand harsh Queensland mining conditions, with Komatsu working alongside the mine every step of the way.
“This excavator needed to be a tough, high-productivity machine while also offering the highest levels of fuel efficiency and operator safety,” Batchfire Superintendent Mobile Maintenance, Daniel Boal said.
“That meant various unique requirements like an oversized 23 m3 rock bucket, which Komatsu was able to deliver.
“The process from start to finish was incident free, smooth and testament to Komatsu’s expertise as a leading mine machinery manufacturer.”
The new excavator will be operating around the clock at the Callide Mine, expected to be put to work for more than 400 hours each month shifting 1.6 million BCMs of waste in the rest of this year alone and over 5.0 million BCMs in a full year.
This PC4000 is equipped with the latest Mineware Argus 3.0 smart payload monitoring system, Komvision camera and Lidar safety system, Komtrax Plus remote monitoring data system, and advanced telemetry technology.
Alongside the rich array of OEM-supplied technology onboard the PC4000, it has also been fitted with various additional sensors to allow Batchfire to utilise the latest MaxMine smart monitoring solution already in use across the entire fleet of trucks and machinery at the Callide Mine.
The safety benefits of the PC4000 are extensive and include a 45-degree stairway design, three on-board cameras offering 360-degree birds-eye view, penetration-proof safety glass, powerful LED working and service lights and remote monitoring.
Alongside the safety benefits, fuel efficiency is also improved compared with older equipment still widely used by mines around the world. The PC4000 is expected to use 233 litres per hour, down more than 15 per cent on the machine it replaces.
The PC4000 joins a growing fleet of Komatsu mining machinery at Batchfire’s Callide Mine, consisting of 18 other units including loaders, dozers, dump trucks, and excavators – so far offering exceptional reliability and reduced fuel use.
In fact, more than 60 per cent of Batchfire’s prestrip haul truck fleet is now powered by diesel-electric-drive dump trucks, following a substantial investment in six new Komatsu 930E-5 dump trucks.
The electric-drive trucks offer significant CO2 emission reductions and increased productivity, while most importantly aligning with Batchfire’s commitment to ongoing sustainability.
