The largest mining equipment in South Africa is primarily used in the country’s massive mining operations, particularly in gold, platinum, coal, and diamond mines. Some of the biggest and most advanced mining equipment includes:
1. Largest Mining Trucks:
– Caterpillar 797F
– Payload: 400 tons
– Engine: 4,000 HP (Cat C175-20)
– Used in large open-pit mines like those operated by Anglo American and Sibanye-Stillwater.
– Komatsu 980E-4
– Payload: 400 tons
– Engine: 3,500 HP (Komatsu SSDA18V170)
– Used in coal and iron ore mines.
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2. Largest Draglines (Used in Coal Mining):
– Marion 8750 & Bucyrus-Erie 2570WS
– Bucket Capacity: Up .jpg)
140 cubic meters
– Used by Sasol and Exxaro in coal operations.
3. Large Hydraulic Excavators:
– Hitachi EX8000-6
– Bucket Capacity: 45 cubic meters
– Used in platinum and coal mines.
– Liebherr R 9800
– Bucket Capacity: Up to 47 cubic meters
– Deployed in large-scale mining operations.
4. Drill Rigs:
– Sandvik DE130 (Blasthole Drill)
– Hole Diameter: Up to 311 mm
– Used in deep-level gold and platinum mines.
5. Underground Loaders & Haulers:
– Sandvik LH621 (Largest Underground Loader)
– Payload: 21 tons
– Used in deep-level gold mines like those operated by Harmony Gold.
– Epiroc ST18 Scooptram (Underground Truck)
– Capacity: 18 tons
Key Mines Using This Equipment:
– Mponeng Gold Mine (AngloGold Ashanti) – Deepest mine in the world.
– Sishen Iron Ore Mine (Kumba Iron Ore) – One of the largest open-pit mines.
– Mogalakwena Platinum Mine (Anglo American Platinum) – Largest open-pit platinum mine.