Working in a mine is a very arduous and above all dangerous job, in which the thorough maintenance of vehicles and structures is an essential factor for the safety of operators. That is why Rosebel gold mine has several Pegasus 45.30 construction telehandlers purchased from Dieci America, which are used to maintain large operating machinery and installations.

Rosebel Gold Mine is one of Suriname’s largest gold mines. The mineral is extracted from the alluvial soil in open pits: rocks unearthed by huge, 6.5-m tall excavators are loaded onto equally large dumpers capable of transporting 300 tonnes to the mill with every truckload. In the mill, the mineral is crushed and heated to high temperatures before the metal is extracted and cast directly into large ingots.

Why the pegasus?

The large dumpers and excavators used in the mining industry are powerful machines, but the harsh work and climate can quickly ruin the most exposed parts, particularly tires and hydraulic hoses.

The Pegasus telehandlers and their basket enable maintenance staff to easily and safely reach components on vehicles over 6 meters high which would otherwise be difficult to reach.

The rotating turret also makes things easier when it comes to lifting and positioning heavy and bulky parts.

If the ground is uneven or muddy (which it almost always is, being located in a tropical jungle), the four automatic leveling stabilizers provide a welcome guarantee of safety and can make the difference, for example, when changing dumper tires measuring four meters high and weighing almost five tonnes.

But the work done by Pegasus vehicles does not stop at mining machines: the tropical environment, humidity, the heat of the furnaces, and the rocks and powder take their toll on the mill installation too.

The structure, which is dozens of meters high and occupies a vast area, requires frequent maintenance, inspections, spare parts, and replacements. The Pegasus telehandlers have been chosen for their technical characteristics:

• 4500 kg capacity

• 30-meter lifting height

• numerous compatible accessories to meet the most varied needs

Thanks to its strict compliance with safety regulations, the Rosebel mine achieved an important milestone in 2016: five million man-hours without an accident. A milestone achieved, at least in part, thanks to the work of our Pegasus vehicles.

Source: Dieci Australia