News and media: Press releases

Komatsu’s mechanical might is being harnessed in the development of Swakop Uranium’s massive Husab mine, arguably Namibia’s largest ever commercial undertaking. While the Komatsu fleet will total in excess of 50 products on completion of delivery, the most powerful and visually impressive will be its string of 23 960E-2KT electric dump trucks (EDT’s), some of which are already engaged in the development of the mine’s pit areas. The 960E series is currently the largest off-road mining vehicle produced by Komatsu and despite its size, power output and payload capability, is outstandingly fuel efficient.

The Martin Fourie Group’s MarMac Plant Hire business has achieved enormous growth in little more than a decade and Komatsu is proud to have assisted in the development of this young and dynamic company. It all began in 2003, when newly matriculated Martin Fourie joined his father in the family’s property development business in the small farming town of Balfour, Mpumalanga. A few years down the track the company bought a TLB backhoe loader for a specific project and, upon completion, this valuable piece of equipment stood idle.

Komatsu South Africa is launching its heaviest mechanical drive dump truck, which, the company states, has yet to meet growing requirements for flexible rugged fleets in the challenging mine-contracting business, as well as burgeoning requirements in the mining industry. With a 144 metric tonne payload, the new Komatsu HD1500 fills a niche in the market between the manufacturer’s own 100-tonne Komatsu HD785 mechanical dump truck and the region’s most popular 181-metric tonne Komatsu 730E-AC electric drive trucks.

South Africa has been chosen as the launch-pad to introduce Komatsu’s impressive new AC-drive 730E-8 dump truck to the world-market. This series has become a stalwart of the local mining industry making, the choice of launch destination a fitting tribute for a truck that has played such an important role in the development of southern Africa’s mines. Since its introduction nearly 21 years ago, the 730-series has moved mountains and become the benchmark for large mining trucks in terms of productivity, reliability and durability.

Choosing the right equipment for hire Buying a heavy mining-class dozer is a considerable capital investment, particularly when the machine is required to earn an income in the plant hire business. Having bought several of these dozers in the past ten years since establishing Burma Plant Hire, Theuns Burger is all too aware of the requirements and which machines are able to run most profitably.

Komatsu to introduce Black ownership through the establishment of the Komatsu Development Trust Komatsu is pleased to announce that it will establish the Komatsu Development Trust, which will provide education, training and social welfare programmes to Historically Disadvantaged South Africans. Through the establishment of the Komatsu Development Trust, Komatsu will have 25.04% Black ownership, and as such Komatsu will be recognised as a BEE Entity.