New equipment ushers new era for Hwange Colliery
A consignment of new mining equipment procured to boost production at Hwange Colliery Company’s Chaba Coal Mine has arrived in Hwange, signalling the beginning of a new era for the giant coal producer.
Hwange Colliery owns Chaba Coal Mine and is on an expansion project for the mine whose production is expected to increase following acquisition of two hydraulic mining shovels with a capacity to excavate up to 14 tonnes of coal ore.
Equipment used elsewhere has a capacity to excavate about four tonnes.
Barzem Enterprises, the country’s sole Caterpillar machinery dealer, is responsible for the supply of equipment and technical support for the mine located between Number 3 and Number 5 coalfields.
The two CAT 6015B hydraulic mining shovels were delivered to Hwange in five pieces; the bucket and stick, the boom, the tracks and the cab last week. Engineers are now busy assembling them before they can be commissioned and rolled out to start excavation.
The shovels were imported via Durban in South Africa and are the first batch of more equipment that has been procured to boost coal mining especially ahead of commissioning of Unit 7 and 8 when demand for coal for thermal power production will increase.
The 100-tonne CAT 6015 hydraulic shovel is one of the best high-tech equipment that is renowned for its ability to move more material at the lowest possible cost.
It is well advanced in technology and enhances safety through its modern and welldesigned cab and controls with enhanced serviceability, and is an assurance for increased coal production as one scoop of the bucket will carry an average payload of 14,6 tonnes.
Barzem Enterprises Zimbabwe country manager, Mr Henry Madovi said the hydraulic shovels will be a game changer in the mining industry as they are the first of their own kind in Zimbabwe.
He said the country was moving in the right direction towards meeting the US$12 billion mining industry target by 2023, with the coal sector set to meet its contribution.
“Barzem Enterprises Zimbabwe has scored a first by bringing in state-of-the-art mining equipment to Hwange.
“As Barzem we are more than happy to have played a role in the coal mines’ production targets by providing high tech equipment that will boost production output.
“We shall be providing the in-country technical expertise and support through our onsite CAT trained locally based technicians and engineers,” said Mr Madovi.
He said coal miners are already investing in state-of-the-art CAT machines to boost coal production in anticipation of increased demand for coal for power generation once Zimbabwe Power Company completes upgrading the Hwange power station.
“It was noted in the US$12 billion Mining Industry Roadmap that aging equipment is chief among the factors hampering the achievement of local production targets towards the 2023 goals.
The 6015B shovels will boost production output by over 100 percent provided they are supported by the correct, appropriate and adequate haulage trucks.
“The 6015-mining shovels are set to be a game changer for local coal production as the equipment is rated as one of the best globally as it is certified to achieve twenty percent higher production than similar equipment in its class,” said Mr Madovi.- The Herald
