In mid-October, heavy equipment manufacturer Komatsu South Africa delivered and commissioned a PC5500-11 hydraulic face shovel for iron-ore and manganese miner Assmang’s Khumani iron-ore mine, in Kathu, in the Northern Cape.

Manufactured in Germany over nine months, the 550 t PC5500-11 journeyed by ocean and road to Khumani mine, followed by 35 days of on-site assembly.

The project involved six specialist partners and over 5 000 personnel-hours, completed without a single safety or environmental incident – a testament to Komatsu’s zero-harm commitment, reports Komatsu South Africa.

At the handover ceremony, Komatsu mining operations GM Hermann Hollhumer emphasised the broader impact of the equipment delivery, saying the project supported local employment during assembly, engaging technicians, welders and logistics providers from the surrounding area.

“Safe, cost-effective mining strengthens South Africa’s global competitiveness and benefits every stakeholder in the value chain,” he added.

Komatsu worked closely with Assmang and a network of South African partners to ensure seamless delivery, commissioning and smooth integration into Khumani’s fleet.

“World-class engineering built in Germany, assembled by South Africans and now ready to perform in one of Africa’s most productive iron-ore mines,” said Komatsu senior mining sales representative Tertius Vermeulen of the PC5500-11.

This collaboration continues to drive safe, efficient, and sustainable mining practices in South Africa, reports Komatsu South Africa.

Engineered for performance and sustainability, the PC5500-11 is optimised for South African conditions, offering proven compatibility with 220 t to 290 t haul trucks, boasting cycle times of about 35 seconds, achieving up to 10% higher productivity than its predecessor and using a Tier 2 configuration for local fuel quality regulatory frameworks and high-altitude conditions.

The shovel also offers smart hydraulics and variable cooling systems for improved efficiency, as well as smarter maintenance and operator comfort.

With 70% fewer electrical components, the PC5500-11 simplifies diagnostics and maintenance, and boosts reliability.

Advanced systems like KOMTRAX Plus 2 and Payload Meter 2 offer real-time visibility of payload, performance and machine health, while the operator’s cabin is designed for comfort, safety and productivity.

In line with Komatsu’s circular economy strategy, all major components of the shovel are rebuildable or re-manufacturable, thereby enabling the extension of its service life and reducing the use of virgin raw materials.

In addition, the ground engaging tools installed on the PC5500-11 are made using 100% renewable energy, whereby at all stages of the process, from manufacture to operation, Komatsu aims to reduce carbon footprint.