Stawell Gold Mine, 250 km northwest of Melbourne, Victoria, recently acquired two new Cat 2900 XE diesel-electric LHDs, selecting RCT – Powered by Epiroc to help automate them.
The site has been leveraging RCT’s technology to boost safety and productivity for more than 20 years, so it was no surprise it turned to RCT for its latest project.
The decision to employ RCT technology, specifically the multi-machine automation solution, AutoNav, was driven by its agnostic capabilities, RCT says. Stawell needed to use its new Cat loaders alongside its existing Epiroc ST18S underground loaders, which are currently equipped with RCT automation.
“Having them operate on the same software was essential for the site,” RCT Brisbane Branch Manager, Owen Perrott, said. “They had existing RCT AutoNav Centres on the surface and underground cabins, and site wanted their operators to control all the machines from these cabins.”
The ability to do so ensures the site doesn’t have to continuously move work areas and operator stations around the site, which can result in a loss of productivity.
“The vast majority of mines operate a single OEM fleet,” Perrott said. “Very few places operate with different OEM brand machines, which makes this project unique.”
It was also the first time the Brisbane branch has installed AutoNav on this particular model of diesel-electric Cat machine – a model that is growing in popularity across Australia, with Byrnecut, Alkane Resources, Gold Fields, Westgold and MMG among the recipients of these machines.
Perrott explained: “We are constantly hearing from our clients that they have been told these hybrid machines can’t be automated, so it’s a real buzz for us being able to do it. And do it well.”
While the team at the Brisbane branch completed the installation of the new machines (one installation took place at Cat OEM William Adams and the other on site at Stawell), the software upgrade required specialised support from RCT’s Technician Dan Peake, who ensured this new project ran smoothly.
The whole process involved in the roll out of this project was appreciated by the client, RCT says, with Stawell Gold Mine’s Electrical Superintendent, Luke Norsworthy, stating: “We appreciate the efforts put in by all and understand this can be a quite tricky transition to plan and undertake with our mixed fleet.”
