New Cat Mining Trucks perform for Oceana Gold The fleet of mining trucks at Oceana Gold’s Macraes Open Pit operation in Otago has expanded this year with the addition of two new Cat® 789 D Series Mining Trucks, the first of their kind to be delivered in New Zealand. The new Cat 789D trucks line up next to sixteen 789 C Series machines already acquired by OGL, and they make up the largest fleet of this model in the country. The 789D continues the tradition of Caterpillar’s proven 789 Trucks with high productivity and lowest in class cost per tonne. General Manager at Oceana Gold’s Macraes operation Bernie O’Leary notes improvement in the 789D’s standard safety features, and has received positive feedback from the operators of an increase in overall comfort and visibility within the cab environment. “Safety is always paramount, and the inclusion of a diagonal stairway as standard on the new D Series is a great feature,” Bernie says.
the environment on the top deck of the machine allows for increased visibility. “When the operators are hauling a load, they are experiencing a noticeably smoother running drive train and a better ride as a result,” Bernie says. “Also, the walkways on the top deck are wider and less cluttered than before which allows for greater peripheral vision through the side windows.” The operator’s right side view is improved due to relocation of the air tank lower on the chassis, and through the use of a fully integrated object detection system they can receive audible and visual indications of the surrounds. Oceana Gold’s mobile plant group maintenance manager Cliff Webb says that the two new Cat 789D Trucks have fitted in seamlessly to the 789 fleet at Macraes from a maintenance and operations perspective.
“The D Series require the same componentry as the C series, so not only do we not need to increase our spare “It’s an improvement from the standard vertical ladder parts holding, we haven’t had to use valuable time on the previous C Series. The operators and maintenance training or re-training the heavy diesel mechanics on a personnel ascending to the cab can more easily maintain new series of machine,” Cliff says. three points of contact at all times.” “Also, the 789D’s do not overpower the C Series trucks, Other standard safety features include slip resistant and this is important because the sequence or timing of surfaces, retractable seat-belts with three points of the trucks out on site is not disrupting the operation of restraint, guard rails, and low interior sound levels. the gold mine.” Operators of the new 789D trucks have indicated to Bernie that there is an increase in overall comfort and
Gough Cat has invested $10M in the development of a new Component Rebuild Centre (CRC) to ensure that valuable mining customers like Oceana Gold have the comprehensive service support available to get the most out of their extensive Cat fleets. The new CRC has a five star contamination control rating and is now fully functional. It has the capacity of rebuilding 1000 parts per year, and boasts an engine Dyno facility designed in the USA. Goughs national mining manager Aaron Smith says the new CRC is situated directly adjacent to their Hornby branch in Christchurch and will substantially improve the ability of Goughs to service the mining industry and reinforce their position as the leading equipment supplier in the NZ.
The arrival of the two new 789D’s at Macraes boosts up the number of 789 trucks in the fleet to eighteen.
On delivery day at Macraes (from L-R): Mike Muir (Gough Cat), Brent Duncan (Gough Cat), Bernie O'Leary (OGL), Aaron Smith (Gough Cat), Adrian Boon (OGL), Mike Scurr (OGL)