Sales for surface mining equipment up

Cummins and Komatsu will collaborate on the development of zero-emissions equipment, with and initial focus on zero-emissions power technologies for large mining haul truck applications. (Photo: Komatsu)

Shipments of surface mining equipment during the third quarter of the year were higher than in the previous quarter by 3.5% in units and by 1.4% in valuation, according to the latest surface mining equipment index from the Parker Bay company.

Deliveries in the third quarter were up significantly year-on-year: units delivered were up nearly 16% and value of shipments 12.3%.

Regarding sales by geographic regions, Australasia recovered from a modest Q2 decline with Q3 deliveries up 17%. Compared to a year ago, the Continent is up a remarkable 69%, primarily thanks to strong deliveries to Indonesia.

Sales in North America recorded only a modest gain compared to Q2 but are now up by more than 50% compared to a year ago.

African mines reversed much of the Q2 increase as did miners in Asia. Despite hosting some of the biggest copper, gold and iron mines, Latin America recorded a fourth consecutive drop in shipments, which are now 43% below a year ago.

There were no substantive shifts between product lines within the quarterly totals except for wheeled loader shipments, which dropped 18%. Trucks were up 6%, dozers 4%, and hydraulic shovels/excavators at the same level as the last quarter.

Parker Bay said that the company anticipate future growth due in part to the much higher oil prices and mines’ stated plans to upgrade existing truck fleets to autonomous drive.