Machinery delivery first step in Ravenswood plan Gold mine prepares to grow

PREPARATIONS for a return to large-scale open pit mining are ramping up at Ravenswood where the first of $100m worth of mining equipment is being delivered.

The fleet includes a new Hitachi EX3600 excavator, the biggest machine ever used at the mine, where the operation is being expanded into Queensland’s biggest gold mine.

Ravenswood Gold CEO Brett Fletcher said the handover of the 350-tonne EX3600 marked the beginning of a long-term working relationship with Hitachi.

The fleet would include several smaller EX2600 and EX1200 excavators and eight Hitachi EH3500 180-tonne mining dump trucks.

“Hitachi is supported out of Townsville and Mackay and the parts and servicing of the equipment will be a significant benefit to local business,” Mr Fletcher said.

He said the Hitachi equipment was well suited to the hard Ravenswood ore bodies.

The EX3600 is the newest model of Hitachi dash-7 mining excavators.

Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia mining general manager Eric Green said the new dash-7 models were designed with a focus on safety for operation and maintenance.

The first of the EH3500 mining trucks arrived at Ravenswood earlier this month.

A truck training simulator, provided by Hitachi, has been

Ravenswood Gold safety superintendent Stuart Ford takes the wheel of the Hitachi truck training simulator at the Ravenswood mine. delivered and will be used over the next three months to ensure truck operators are familiar with the equipment.

Ravenswood Gold safety superintendent Stuart Ford said the EH3500S had a different braking system and all drivers would be trained.

“The simulator gives the operators real-time feedback and features actual mining hazards including light vehicles, lighting plants and other items of heavy machinery as the operator drives through the pit to the excavator,” Mr Ford said.

“We are only hiring experienced truck drivers although we will eventually offer traineeships.”

Hiring for the project began in August with 40 people taking permanent positions in the mining department. Other roles include exploration, training and safety, and environment.

Mr Fletcher said about 230 people were employed at Ravenswood Gold and the long-term permanent workforce would increase to 410.

“All of our new employees are from the local area,” Mr Fletcher said.

“We are serious about ensuring local employment.”

The Ravenswood Expansion Project will see 250 new permanent positions, the retention of 160 existing positions and a further 150 positions during construction.