Suncor to deploy super size Komatsu PC9000 at Fort Hills
As the market stands today, the largest available big surface mining hydraulic excavators are generally in the 800 t class – the Komatsu Mining PC8000 (shown in the attached photo), Hitachi EX8000 and Liebherr R 9800.
Caterpillar still in theory has the 1,000 t 6090 FS face shovel machine – whose design dates from O&K days in Dortmund (which became Terex O&K then briefly was part of Bucyrus) before its acquisition by Caterpillar in 2011.
But this unit (then known as the RH400) has not been built in some years and the 6090 is no longer listed on the Caterpillar website as it is undergoing numerous upgrades to bring it into line with Cat’s next generation of shovels which has already been done with the 6060 FS and BH models. Back in 2012 Cat also built a 1,270 t model, the 6120B H FS, with hybrid technology, but the project was shelved.
Now it seems there is a new super sized excavator in the market – the Komatsu PC9000. In a recent news story, oil sands miner Suncor stated via Jason Wyman, General Manager for the Mine & Tailings team at Fort Hills, that the mine’s fleet of trucks and shovels that moves approximately 300 Mt/y of material is growing including through this new shovel model.
“The decision to invest in new equipment, specifically 23 Komatsu 980 haul trucks & one hashtag#hydraulicshovel, was introduced from the annual mine plan,” explains Wyman.
“The mine plan outlines production targets & operational strategies, ultimately determining the required equipment. As Fort Hills grew, trucks & shovels were initially purchased in 2014; however, as volumes increased and haul distances grew, rental equipment was secured to meet business plan commitments. This rental equipment comes at a significant premium, affecting the mine’s overall cost structure.”
He adds: “Overall, we have purchased 55 new trucks for the region, with 23 allocated to our Fort Hills site, and 32 to Base Plant. The purchases of the haul trucks and shovels will reduce the mine’s operating cost.”
At hashtag#FortHills, the new trucks and hydraulic shovel he says will be gradually rolled out throughout 2024, including the mentioned Komatsu Germany GmbH – Mining Division PC9000, which he describes as the largest hydraulic shovel in the world, arriving towards end 2024.
”Given the substantial volume of material moved annually, the new equipment will position Fort Hills as a best-in-class operator, surpassing the limitations of the previous rental strategy.
The ownership of equipment allows for more control over maintenance programs, increasing equipment availability & overall efficiency”
Komatsu would not comment officially to International Mining but by its existing nomenclature a PC9000 would be a 900 t machine.
As all of Komatsu’s other shovels are available in both backhoe & face shovel as well as diesel or AC electric cable power, this is likely to be the case with the PC9000.
SOURCE:International Mining
