Mineral Resources (MinRes) has taken delivery of Western Australia’s first third-generation electric hybrid wheel loader, set to undertake load and haul activities for the Onslow Iron project.
MinRes Executive General Manager Asset Management Dale Blyth said the Komatsu E1850-3 is the biggest loader MinRes has acquired and will bring a host of environmental and productivity benefits.
“MinRes is committed to investing in the latest technology to power our transition to net-zero operations, while still achieving operational efficiencies,” Dale said.
“Our new Komatsu wheel loader does exactly that, producing substantially less carbon emissions compared to mechanical drives while still delivering higher payloads.”
The machine features the fully regenerative SR hybrid drive system, which during braking or retarding causes electrical motors to become generators, feeding power back into its Kinetic Energy Storage System (KESS).
This helps deliver up to 45% less fuel consumption than comparably sized mechanical drive wheel loaders.
Loader fit out was completed at the Komatsu workshop in Welshpool, with MinRes subsidiary CSI Mining Services constructing the loader bucket in another example of its unique in-house manufacturing capability.
The machine was transported to Ken’s Bore mine site by a 13-line platform and trucks with a combined length of 55 metres, along with a 50 and 100 tonne float and four semi-trailers.
MinRes’ transformational Onslow Iron project will unlock billions of tonnes of stranded iron ore deposits in the west Pilbara region, with first ore forecast for mid-2024.
Learn more about our Onslow Iron project.
