Strong and stable RA30 trucks carry the weight at New Caledonian mine

Three Rokbak RA30 trucks are delivering exceptional durability and performance at one of the world’s most demanding mine sites in New Caledonia.

A trio of Rokbak RA30 articulated haulers have been starring at a remote and extremely challenging site on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The trucks’ resilience and reliability are standing out for heavy equipment specialists Hermant Group at one of New Caledonia’s oldest nickel mines, SLN Tiebaghi.

Supplied by Webwihoon Import, the three trucks include one RA30 with a standard truck bed and two units equipped with specialised water tanks. Since their introduction to the site in 2021, the trucks have impressed operators and mine managers alike, performing essential tasks in an environment known for its heavy rainfall, sharp slopes and highly acidic soil. The units are transporting water and assisting in earth moving and proving a stable presence in unstable conditions. The two units adapted with water tanks have been fitted with special flotation tires and reinforced with corrosion-resistant tanks, pipes and paintwork. Each truck’s heavy-duty chassis and reinforced frame provide plenty of strength to accommodate the 29,000-litre water tank. These Rokbak ADTs are designed to thrive in New Caledonia's harsh working conditions and their stability, boosted by wide tyre options, is vital on the steep and uneven terrain.

“We previously experienced vehicle tip-overs with other water trucks but the Rokbaks have been rock solid,” says Fabrice Hermant, Hermant Group Director. “We received our first unit in 2021 and were so impressed when it arrived we ordered a second just two weeks later.”

The trucks are essential for dust suppression at a site where airborne dust particles contain harmful substances. To protect operators, the trucks are equipped with HEPA filters, ensuring a safe working environment inside the cab. The other RA30 equipped with a standard flatbed is used to transport earth from the mine’s retaining basins to a dump zone. This journey involves traversing tricky inclines and navigating narrow, rain-soaked roads in hot and humid conditions. But no matter the conditions, this Rokbak RA30 has delivered excellent and consistent performance, matching perfectly with 25-ton and 30-ton excavators removing the earth. Together the excavators and RA30 ensure optimised cycle times, inside the limited space available.

“The Rokbaks offer solid performance and give us confidence in our work,” says Patrice. “There’s great stability, power, braking and traction whenever we need it. Even in working in an environment where the local soil and water’s acid content can corrode other equipment, the Rokbaks are holding up incredibly well.”

The nickel reserves of New Caledonia are amongst the largest anywhere, and the country is home to around a quarter of the world’s total. Mining is integral to the country, and the Rokbak trucks are playing a crucial role in maximising efficiency in this important industry. The trucks’ work is also helping to minimise environmental impact at the site, ensuring that soil and ore sediments are kept well away from natural waters and operating within the confines of the mine without any need to change the surrounding landscape. “We’re thrilled with the trucks' performance and reliability,” says Fabrice. “They’ve delivered round-the-clock productivity with minimal downtime, despite the harsh conditions.”

Since their arrival four years ago, the three Rokbak RA30 trucks have clocked up thousands of hours of continuous operation, with one unit working up to 22 hours a day, seven days a week. With a simple design and easy access to service points, Hermant Group has been able to conduct most of the maintenance on-site, ensuring uninterrupted operations. “It’s fantastic to see our trucks playing such an important role in New Caledonia,” says Rokbak Regional Business Manager Lee Irving. “Assisting in earth moving, dust pollution control and water management at the mine demonstrates the versality of these haulers.”