Solving a mechanical limitation in its haulage fleet has allowed BHP has unlocked tens of millions of dollars in annual revenue at its Western Australian Iron Ore (WAIO) operations.
The mining giant is now moving an additional 1.52 million tonnes of iron ore per year, roughly 127,000 tonnes per month, after installing newly designed hoist cylinders that allow truck trays to tip at a higher angle.
Engineers at the South Flank mine identified that the existing hydraulic limits prevented trays from reaching the required angle to fully dislodge their loads.
To engineer a fix, the operations team engaged Chinese manufacturer JC Cylinders to produce a bespoke solution. The resulting hardware upgrade allows for a steeper tipping angle, which has cut instances of ‘carry-back’, where ore remains stuck in the tray, by 54 per cent.
“These bespoke cylinder hoists have been a tipping point for haul truck productivity, resulting in a 54 per cent reduction in the number of times product is carried back in the truck,” BHP group procurement officer Rashpal Bhatti said.
“It’s a small solution with a big impact,” Bhatti said “We see every dollar we spend as a lever for performance and progress.”
Bhatti, who manages the company’s global spend from Adelaide, said that the project demonstrates how procurement scale can drive technical innovation across the supply chain.
