When mining and construction company Liviero Mining subsidiary of Liviero Group, elected to increase its dozer fleet to raise output at two major coal-producing sites in Mpumalanga, at Tweefontein where the company provides contracting services for a diversified mining company Glencore and at Vanggatfontein, which it manages for coal mining company Keaton Energy Holdings, the company chose Komatsu equipment, owing to its performance, efficiencies and cost benefits.

“Independent assessments based on performance, efficiency and cost considerations made the Komatsu 475 the obvious product of choice, not only in terms of mining productivity, but as an essential tool for planned longer-term rehabilitation projects. Another important consideration in light of production pressures was that Komatsu could provide prompt delivery,” says Liviero Mining plant director Jan Steyn.

Steyn aided in the compilation of detailed comparisons between competitor offerings against a range of products, taking into account performance, price, operating costs, spares availability and service backup.

Komatsu believes that Steyn gained encyclopedic knowledge of market product applications and how to match specific types of machinery to meet individual customer requirements.

The company indicates that two D475s (mining bulldozers) are now in service following a seamless delivery, commissioning and operator training process, and early indications are that the dozers are not merely performing to expectation, but have endeared themselves to Liviero operators.

Komatsu South Africa marketing manager Antony Tymvios explains that the first operators trained were selected on the strength of their ability and experience, and they immediately adapted to the new machines. They are easy to operate and are relatively quiet with a comfortable air-conditioned cab.

According to Steyn, the machines are performing completely in line with expectations and he is keen to see their operational records once they reach the crucial 15 000-hour mark.

Liviero’s current fleet is made up of a range of opencast equipment that collectively moves in the region of 40-million banked cubic metres of material a year.