Hitachi Construction Machinery (Australia) Pty Ltd (HCA) is pleased to announce the commissioning of a Hitachi EX8000-6 Backhoe Excavator at Stanwell Corporation Limited’s (Stanwell) Meandu Mine on Tuesday 17th September.
Whilst there have been many EX8000’s delivered globally, Stanwell’s EX8000-6BH represents an important step in the excavator’s evolution, as it is the world’s first Hitachi EX8000 with a backhoe configuration.
The EX8000 is Hitachi’s flagship excavator — weighing over 800 tonnes with a 45m3 bucket capacity, which can move 75 tonnes of dirt per bucket load.
28 semi-trailers transported parts from Brisbane to Meandu Mine. Three cranes assisted the assembly operation including a 220 tonne, 100 tonne and an 80 tonne.
Stanwell CEO, Richard Van Breda said, “The excavator is now the largest in our fleet and we welcome it to the Stanwell family.”
“The excavator will support the Tarong Power Stations in becoming more competitive in the National Electricity Market by reducing the cost of coal from Meandu Mine,” said Andrew Walker, Mining Operations Manager at Meandu Mine.
“It is expected to run for approximately 5700 hours per year for the next three years, predominately removing overburden,” commented Stanwell’s Chairman, Warwick Parer.
Managing Director of HCA, David Harvey said, “For over 100 years Hitachi Limited has lived by their philosophy of ‘pioneering spirit’ in terms of innovation, technology and safety. This EX8000, a true showcase, is no exception.
“The EX8000 was assembled in record time, and more importantly put together safely without incident by Stanwell, Downer EDI and our employees.”
As part of a competition held by Stanwell, the ceremony also marked the unveiling of the excavator’s name — Atlas, after the mythological Greek Titan who carried the earth.