Swakop Uranium invested in 2015 in a new mining fleet of 23 327t class Komatsu 960E-2KT electric dump trucks and three Chinese NHL NTE330 electric drive trucks for its new Husab uranium mine in Namibia. All of these were trolley-ready with the aim of starting up the trolley assist operation as the mine ramped up in 2017.
However, due to declining oil prices and increasing electricity tariffs, the mine did not operate the trolley assist.
Now, with more favorable power prices and a push to reduce reliance on diesel, trolley assist at Husab was reconsidered to reduce costs and increase mine productivity due to higher truck speeds. Testing with two of the Komatsu 960E-2KT trucks under trolley began in late 2022 and with the successful trial completed, the line and these two trucks are now commissioned.
The benefits of trolley use include reduced cycle times, increased haulage productivity, a reduction in noise and CO2 emissions to the environment.
However, the project is sensitive to diesel prices which change monthly in Namibia.
Source: INTERNATIONAL MINING
Image Source: Komatsu