Modern Mining February 2016

COVER STORY

New machines set to strengthen Babcock’s ‘footprint’ in mining

There are exciting developments underway at Babcock. The company, which is the Southern African dealer for Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE), has introduced to the local market the Volvo EC750D excavator, Volvo’s biggest excavator yet, and expects to be launching more Volvo machines in the coming months, including a new 60-tonne articulated hauler. In addition, it was recently appointed as the official Southern African dealer for Terex Trucks, which means that it can now supply its customers – for the first time – with rigid dump trucks. Modern Mining recently spoke to David Vaughan, Babcock’s Sales Director – Equipment, to learn more about the new products and how they fit into the Babcock line-up.

A lready two EC750D excavators have been sold and are working in the field, one in a coal min- ing operation in the Middelburg area, and the other in an alluvial diamond mining application in the Northern Cape. “We’ve secured several further orders for

the EC750D and are expecting to deliver these additional machines shortly,” says Vaughan. “As we all know, the mining industry is cur- rently in a severe downturn but we’re never- theless seeing huge interest in the EC750D from our mining customers as it is the perfect match for the heavier articulated haulers typically used in mining, including the Volvo A40F.” The EC750D –which is a 75-tonne class machine – replaces the popular EC700CL. “We have over 140 of these units in the field, which is testament to the EC700CL’s high production capabilities, general reliability and low fuel burn,” says Vaughan. “The new machine is an upgraded version, which offers even greater pro- ductivity while retaining all that was best in its predecessor. Digging force has been improved by 9 % compared to the EC700 and engine out- put by 11 % and the unit comes equipped – as standard – with a 4,6 m 3 bucket as opposed to the 4,2 m 3 bucket used on the EC700. Our esti- mate is that the EC750D will deliver an overall 14 % increase in productivity.” The new excavator is specifically designed for demanding mining and quarrying applica- tions and its design and construction reflect this. For example, the reinforced heavy-duty boom and arm are built from high-strength tensile steel – with steel strips being welded under the arm to further increase protection. Built-in heavy-duty plates provide additional protection to the underside of the machine to

Dave Vaughan, Babcock’s Sales Director – Equipment, pictured at the company’s Johannes- burg premises with an EC750D in the background.

18  MODERN MINING  February 2016