Page 68 - pd297-Sept21-mag-web

MInInG seRVIces

National dry hire

raises possibilities

lexibility is the new mantra for the vide balance sheet flexibility and
FWest Australian iron ore giants as ensure safety as they expanded
they balance the vagaries of owner-op- individual operations.
erator mining with post-COVID logistics “Dry hire affords miners an op-
chains and uneven commodity markets. tion to free up capital which has
Rio Tinto Ltd, BHP Ltd and Fortescue been particularly important dur-
Metals Group Ltd have spent the last ing the uncertainty of COVID,”
decade moving to owner-operator sta- Ackroyd said.
tus on their Pilbara iron ore mines and As well as financial considera-
while each have enjoyed cost-saving tions, miners are using dry hire to
benefits from the switch, the model also increase operational optionality
presents new challenges around equip- as they take advantage of sky-
ment availability, flexibility and reliabil- high metals prices.
ity. With a fleet of more than 350
Where once these were problems for units of heavy earthmoving equip-
mining contractors, the miners them- ment, National Group is the ideal Mark Ackroyd
selves are now having to find solu- partner at a time of tight supply markets.
tions, no easy task with supply chains The National Group has 10 locations is,” Ackroyd said. “We have a big fleet in
squeezed due to the pandemic. throughout Australia, with offices and WA, and we can shift units across from
However, as ever in 21st century Aus- yards on the east and west coast for Queensland and News South Wales if
tralian mining, there are highly skilled over 15 years. needed as well.
and innovative groups ready to assist in “WA is a big market for us, and we
the process. Five advantages to the National continue to grow our presence there by
“We have been able to adapt and Group approach investing in good quality gear and the
continue to order new equipment during right people. Getting the right people
the pandemic,” National Plant & Equip- Dry and wet hire who understand the company culture
ment managing director Mark Ackroyd and the importance of safety and up-
told Paydirt. “We have also had new Long and short-term rental time is crucial to our success.”
equipment delivered during COVID Flexible maintenance solutions The move to owner-operator has also
which has meant customers can quick- spurred the iron ore miners into rolling
ly rent equipment from us, rather than Tailored commercial contracts out automation on their Pilbara mines
wait longer periods for equipment to be Heavy haulage and National Group has invested in
manufactured.” equipment to ensure it can play a lead-
Ackroyd is well placed to make as- ing role in the trend.
sessment of demand on equipment giv- “On the west coast, we have offices in Through its Wolff Mining business,
en National Plant & Equipment, part of Perth and Karratha and we also service also part of the National Group, they
the National Group is one of the largest the Northern Territory, in which we pre- provide semi-autonomous technology
dry hire suppliers of heavy earthmoving dominantly service the metals and iron for blast hole drill rigs and the ability for
equipment to the Australian mining in- ore sector,” Ackroyd said. one operator to control up to four dozers
dustry. Customers use dry hire to pro- “Over the past 15 years servicing the from a remote control room.
WA region, we have continued “We keep up with latest developments
to build ongoing business re- in autonomous technology and equip-
lationships based on trust and ment,” Ackroyd said. “We secured the
the quality of our heavy min- first off the production line new genera-
ing equipment. Reputation and tion CAT D11 dozer, with six of these
credibility is very important in new autonomous ready dozers added
any sector, but particularly in to our expansive fleet. We also have a
mining.” partnership with Caterpillar and Hast-
The Australia-wide nature ings Deering to implement and optimise
of the company also hands semi-autonomous tractor system tech-
National Group advantages in nology, which is a first in the world into
delivering units to clients in all a mining production environment.
corners of Australia. “Autonomous equipment will be cru-
“We have a national pres- cial to the future of mining, allowing for
ence with a local touch, and it much safer operations.”
doesn’t matter where a project

Page 68 SePTeMBeR 2021 aUSTRaLIa’S PaYDIRT