Chilean Mining

Chilean Mining

Working at an average height
of 4,500 meters with
temperatures that range
between 35º C in the summer
and average -20º in the winter
is not an easy task. However, in Veladero this
is the daily challenge for the gold and silver
mine that started production activities in
September of this past year and whose fl eet
of CAT trucks hopes to quickly increase and
include (29) 793c trucks and (4) 785s. Of the
increasing fl eet, 16 of which have already been
selected to be equipped with Duratray dump
bodies, which Barrick evaluated with positive
results thanks to their superior performance.
With an estimated lifespan of 17 years, an
average production rate of 700,000 ounces
annually during the fi rst three years and a team
of almost 700 fi eld people, this Barrick Gold
project uses the suspended rubber technology
SDB DURATRAY in 60% of its trucks. An
experience that in terms of technical and
professional demand constitutes
a new challenge for the
company as well as
allows for testing in situ
the attributes of the SDB
dump bodies in a mine of
this calibre, very similar
to what is expected of
Pascua-Lama in Chile.

READY FOR ANYTHING
With a field team headed by Patricio
Carrasco (Mechanic Technician) and periodic
visits by management and engineering teams
from Chile, Duratray provides all the required
materials needed to solve post-sale service
as well as preventative maintenance directly
in the mine. However, the special design
characteristics of the dump bodies allow for
low maintenance and high functionality and
considerably reduce repair times in comparison
to those of a standard dump body. The units
are constructed with less dense steel that
functions well even in low temperatures,
avoiding breakage.
But as the word innovator implies, Duratray
is already preparing its artillery in order to
continue presenting new ideas that facilitate
the hauling process. In aims to optimize the
extraction process in Veladero, Duratray...