Mantrac Ghana has handed over two new Cat R2900XE Underground Loaders to Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, Ahafo South Mine.

The new Cat R2900 XE, which happens to be the first to be supplied in Ghana and Africa, is also the first Caterpillar diesel electric underground LHD. 

It is a productive, powerful, reliable machine built to meet the underground mining industry’s need for bigger payloads, faster loading, and reduced emissions.

Its powerful diesel-electric drive engine is EU stage V compliant, and it offers the power to match its class-leading 18.5-tonne loading capacity. 

The R2900 XE is highly productive, with smooth and quick machine responses combined with improved digging and tramming performance. 

Employing electric drive components reduces fuel burn and improves productivity - helping mines reduce greenhouse gas emissions and their carbon footprint.

Mantrac is at the forefront of the Mining sector in Ghana with a history of supporting the industry with quality and reliable equipment that aligns with modern technology in mining.

At a short ceremony to hand over the equipment, Managing Director of Mantrac Ghana, Steven Scott noted that the equipment will not only help in reducing emissions but increase production significantly.

According to him, “This is in line with our mission of providing superior levels of customer service, focusing on specific customer needs, offering customer value propositions and integrated solutions that are mutually rewarding to establish a lasting customer relationship”.

“As part of our overall commitment, Mantrac plans to provide a 360 degrees solution to this equipment and has put in place high parts availability coupled with prompt and professional support to ensure low downtime and high productivity,” he added.

Speaking on why his outfit chose to support Newmont Ghana with this new R2900XE, Mr Scott explained that the two companies have worked closely for almost twenty years and by the end of 2024, Mantrac will have over 450 men and women working on Newmont's three sites in Ghana.

 “We are very proud of the longstanding relationship we have with Newmont and hope to continue this into the future”. Newmont chose the R2900XE after extensive testing and analysis of the benefits of this product over other competitors in the underground sector”.

He said it wasn’t the first time Mantrac was supporting Newmont, as his outfit plans to deliver five units by the end of 2024. 

“Today you are seeing the first two units delivered to Newmont and by the end of 2024, we expect to deliver five units and hopefully more in the future”.

“To be clear, Newmont Ghana has purchased these machines to support the XE as it is the first of its kind in Ghana, Mantrac is providing significant dedicated support in the shape of on-site engineers, spare parts and components. To ensure the machines are well operated, we are currently running a two-week operator training programme,” Mr Scott explained.

He indicated that Mantrac Ghana over the years has supported medium and small-scale mining companies in its more than eighty years of operation in Ghana.

“Mantrac Ghana has operated in Ghana for over eighty years and you just need to travel around the country to see Cat machines working in every corner of Ghana. Depending on our customers' requirements, we can tailor specific support programmes to meet their needs.

"This normally comes in the shape of a CVA (Customer Value Agreement) which is designed to give our customers peace of mind operating their Cat equipment”.

Caterpillar produces a broad range of equipment for surface and underground mining with products to satisfy most clients’ needs.

It is standard practice for Mantrac to provide operator and technical training for new equipment to the market such as the R2900XE, and we can also provide refresher training to meet customers’ needs.

Steven is of the firm belief that the new machines will help improve Newmont's operational efficiency, productivity, and reduce the level of emissions at the workplace and the community it operates in.

On his part, the General Manager of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, Ahafo South Mine, Alex Kofi Annin expressed excitement over the progress made by his outfit in acquiring the equipment.

He said the CAT R2900 XE Diesel electric loader, was a game-changer in defining the future of mining.

“Over the years, Newmont has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability in a variety of ways, including the introduction of innovative technologies, the optimization of processes, and the adoption of systems to protect the environment”.

“This dedication has been recognized across the industry and earned us various recognitions. For the third consecutive year, Kaltire acknowledged our outstanding performance and progressive reduction of our carbon footprint through tyre retreading.

"We are also incredibly proud to have been named the Best Green mine at last year's Ghana Mining Industry awards, which is another proof of our dedication to environmental stewardship,” said Mr Annin.

He stressed that the new CAT R2900 XE diesel-electric loader, which is the first of its kind in Ghana and Africa, combines the power of diesel with technology to deliver a 31% improvement in fuel efficiency.

“This new loader combines the power of diesel with the efficiency of electric technology, to deliver a 31% improvement in fuel efficiency and an added advantage of quicker response times and acceleration. What this means is that our emissions through diesel combustion will be reduced significantly”.

In pursuit of the company’s efforts towards creating a more efficient future in mining, Kofi Annin disclosed that Newmont was committed to purchasing nine (9) of the CAT R2900 XE, between now and 2026, as it phases out the current fleet of loaders at Subika underground mine.

The CAT R2900 XE loader, he noted, represents a paradigm shift in the mining industry, and Newmont was proud to be at the forefront of this revolution and to continue to provide industry leadership in energy efficiency.

“As you may know, Newmont has integrated energy efficiency and climate goals into its corporate strategy, aiming for zero carbon emissions by 2050. As a result, we are actively pursuing a future where our operations are cleaner, more efficient, and contribute positively to the communities we serve”.

He also thanked the leadership of Mantrac for the efficient collaboration in ensuring responsible mining, which would go a long way to protect the environment.