With fuel efficiency at the top of its requirements, leading copper ore producer CupruMin has purchased two
A mountainous European nation, Romania is rich in iron ore, oil, salt, uranium, nickel, copper and natural gas, and currently produces around 60 different minerals. North of the country’s capital, Bucharest, and hidden within the Apuseni Mountains, lies the Roşia Poieni copper mine. With an estimated 1.5 billion tonnes of reserves, the large open pit mine is the second largest copper mine in Europe. Discovered in the 1960s and owned by CupruMin, Roşia Poieni produces more than 10,000 tonnes of copper annually. To keep production moving at the site, CupruMin has purchased two Terex Trucks TR100 rigid haulers.
The 91-tonne capacity dump trucks were acquired by CupruMin through an open tender which saw Terex Trucks’ units selected ahead of the global top two brands. The Scottish manufacturer was officially awarded the business in January following an intense process where it eventually triumphed thanks to an attractive offer and aftermarket agreement. Terex Trucks’ bidding at the proceeding was supported by leading equipment dealer RET Utilaje.
“This contract was nothing like an ordinary sale because it was made up of so many elements,” says Razvan Popandron, area sales manager for West Romania at RET Utilaje. “Aside from going up against other brands, RET and Terex Trucks had to work together to build a competitive offer, and in the end what won it was the technical advantages of the TR100s as the trucks proved to be more efficient in comparison to the competitors’ machines.”
Popandron adds: “CupruMin required efficiency because fuel consumption has a big impact on the price of copper – it’s not an easy material to sell and the competition is strong. Therefore, fuel consumption was at the very top of the list, and the TR100s demonstrated that they were lighter in comparison to the competitors’ machines, and require less energy to move with or without material, which ultimately amounts to less fuel consumption.”
Copper was first used 9000 years ago to make tools, and often selected to create jewellery and ornaments because of its striking colour. In its present day, copper is mostly used for electrical wiring, and in electrical generators and motors, due to its capabilities as a good conductor of electricity. The material also retains heat well and is commonly used for water pipes.
It was recently revealed in a report commissioned by the International Copper Association that annual demand for copper could rise to as much as four million tonnes by 2030 due to an increasing demand for efficient building systems and electrical equipment, electric vehicles, and renewable energy generation. And CupruMin is keen to be able to meet the demand for copper.
Founded in 1977 and based in Abrud, Romania, CupruMin specializes in the production of copper and copper ore. With close to 600 employees, the company runs one of the biggest operations in Romania through the Roşia Poieni mine and produces roughly 60per cent of the copper used in the country. CupruMin purchased the TR100s to modernise its fleet and the machines are being put to work hauling overburden removal and transporting raw material to the crusher.
The trucks, which were delivered in April, are being used to haul overburden and transport raw material to the crusher.
Well suited to the Roşia Poieni mine – which has a diameter the size of eight football pitches, and descends to more than 300 meters below the surface – the TR100’s resilient drivetrain and rear axle configuration provides excellent pulling and powerful rimpull to ensure the hauler can travel up steep inclines and through uneven ground conditions. The robust hauler features a spacious and ergonomic cab for maximum operator comfort.
Set to work a minimum of 12-hour shifts six days a week, CupruMin’s TR100s are fitted with the
Additionally, transmission and rear brake retardation systems come as standard, while the suspension bears the load through variable-rate nitrogen-over-oil type struts, which ensures a smoother ride, reduces operator fatigue and maximises production. The high impact resistant body of the rigid dump truck also makes for first-rate material retention and means the machine is unphased by the abrasive nature of the copper ores found in the mine.
“Since the machines have been working on site at Roşia Poieni, CupruMin has expressed how well the rigid trucks are performing against the existing fleet,” says Popandron. “The TR100s are working in very harsh conditions as it’s a difficult quarry but regardless the production is moving at a great pace. We’ve also received feedback from the operators, many of which were fans of the top two brands, and they are enjoying the simplicity of the Terex Trucks units.”
