BHP unlocks haul truck productivity with hoist cylinder upgrade

(Alliance News) - BHP Group Ltd on Wednesday said modifications to its Western Australian iron ore haul trucks are expected to provide a boost to revenue.

The Melbourne, Australia-based diversified miner said newly designed and developed hoist cylinders under the tray of the truck will allow for an extra 127,000 tonnes or iron ore to be tipped each month, or approximately 1.5 million tonnes each year.

Previously some trucks were unable to completely empty their load due to limitations to how high they could hoist and tip.

BHP Group Procurement Officer Rashpal Bhatti said: "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."

Through a collaboration with Chinese supplier JC Cylinders, BHP's Engineering and Global Procurement teams were able to develop the new solution before trialling and scaling the cylinders at its South Flank mine.

"It's a small solution with a big impact – we're tipping the productivity uplift to unlock tens of millions of dollars in additional revenue every year," Bhatti said.

BHP shares were up 1.4% at AUD50.99 in Sydney on Wednesday afternoon.

By Elijah Dale, Alliance News senior reporter Asia-Pacific

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