Strategic partnership in mining

In recent years, the surface miner fleet of the Fortescue Metals Group (FMG), one of Australia’s largest iron ore producers, has grown to a total of 43 machines, with 28 WIRTGEN 4200 SM and 15 WIRTGEN 2500 SM, which ensure the selective, economical extraction of high-quality iron ore in the Pilbara region.

The WIRTGEN Surface Miners cut, crush and load the material in a single step, thus providing enormous potential savings. For example, they lower production costs by some 40 percent per ton of iron ore, and the investment costs are around 50 percent lower than for conventional mining methods.

Synergy effects increase cost-effectiveness and machine availability

The good partnership between FMG and WIRTGEN forms the basis for a constant continuing development of the technologies. In the 4200 SM, FMG and WIRTGEN have developed a surface miner that is even more powerful and ideally adapted to the mining conditions for iron ore, and which has been successfully proven since 2009.

Innovations in cutting technology pay off

Everyday practical experience is used in the ongoing development of the surface miners – especially in cutting technology, one of WIRTGEN’s core competencies. With the HT15 quick-change toolholder system, the innovation leader has developed a unique device which simplifies the process of changing toolholders and shortens it by 60 percent. Together with the new WPI (WIRTGEN Pick Inspection) tool wear detection system, which ensures maximum use of the cutting tool capacity, the latest innovations have led to significant production increases at FMG.

Expanding proven service structures with new concepts

Especially in mining, where the machines are in use every day, 24 hours a day, machine availability is a central factor for success. In addition to surface mining technology, Wirtgen also presents itself as a reliable partner with a comprehensive service offering. The service products are the result of an intensive collaboration between the main WIRTGEN plant in Germany and its subsidiary WIRTGEN Australia in Perth. The regular communication with and physical proximity to the customer ensure fast reaction times. New demands, process changes or machine developments can thus be quickly implemented – both directly on site in the mine and in the plant.

Mining in Australia – WIRTGEN invests in personnel and infrastructure

“In order to further strengthen our position as a reliable mining partner in Australia, we have made enormous investments in technical personnel, administrative systems and the infrastructure – in the mine as well as at the branch office. On a site of 4.7 hectares, we are also constructing a factory and warehouse building specially equipped for surface miners, in which we can carry out general overhauls or retrofits of components, as well as training on service and work procedures,” says Paul Hockridge, General Manager Mineral Technologies WIRTGEN Australia, describing the investments to expand the WIRTGEN Group service structure in Australia.

The strategic partnership with FMG shows that WIRTGEN GmbH not only offers its surface mining customers powerful equipment for mining high-quality products, but also an overall solution for major mining projects. Through the joint effort in ongoing machinery development and the important task of optimal customer support in after-sales service, Wirtgen is positioning itself as an ideal partner in surface mining.