Atlas Copco wins large South African mining order
July 11, 2001
Atlas Copco has been chosen by Anglo Platinum as the supplier of drill rigs and loaders to the Waterfall Mine in Rustenburg, South Africa. The company ordered 32 machines with a value of approximately 75 MSEK.
Waterfall is one of Anglo Platinum's major new platinum mines, scheduled to start production in the second quarter 2002. At full capacity, the mine will produce approximately 395 thousand ounces per year. The equipment will be delivered beginning September of 2001 through June 2002. “The order is a major breakthrough for our new line of drill rigs and loaders for low seam applications with mining heights of 1.6 to 1.8 meters,” says Freek Nijdam, Senior Executive Vice President, Atlas Copco Construction and Mining Technique. “The South African mines have just begun to mechanize drilling and loading operations and this is the first big order in the industry.” The drill rigs and loaders are a combination of well proven heavy-duty components and new innovative technology, designed to give maximum productivity and durability under very demanding conditions.