Byrnecut has become the latest recipient of a Caterpillar R2900 XE diesel-electric loader for IM to cover, recently taking delivery of the unit and heading to its Sand King operations, in Western Australia, a gold mine owned by Ora Banda Mining.
This machine is a significant step forward as it is the first diesel-electric underground LHD from Caterpillar Inc. and Byrnecut’s first diesel-electric loader it has on our sites, the company says.
The R2900 XE features a switch reluctance electric drive system alongside a Cat C15 diesel engine, which offers up to 335 kW of power, with Caterpillar saying the machine comes with about 30% increased fuel efficiency compared with the R2900G, with its lower engine revolutions per minute resulting in reduced fuel burn, heat, noise, vibration and exhaust emissions.
Companies to have welcomed the R2900 XE into their operating fleets in Australia include Alkane Resources, Gold Fields, Westgold and MMG.
Byrnecut said: “We are steadily working towards increasing the presence of diesel-electric and battery-electric equipment in our fleet. The deployment of the R2900 XE is another step in that direction, supporting our commitment to improving efficiency and reducing our environmental footprint while maintaining productive and sustainable mining practices.”
