PT Freeport adds Grove RTs for tough mine site

Indonesia-based mining company PT Freeport - operating one of the largest copper and gold mines in the world - has added three Grove rough terrain (RT) cranes to its fleet: a RT765E-2 and two RT530E-2s.

The cranes will join the company’s operations at its Irian Jaya location, replacing two older Grove RT cranes that are being retired.

Jason Smith, who works in mobile crane maintenance at PT Freeport Indonesia, said, “We once again selected the Grove RT series for this job because these cranes are durable and well-suited to the challenging wet weather conditions we have here in Irian Jaya. One of the most demanding aspects at this location is moving the cranes around the site in wet or muddy conditions, but the Grove RT series can cope well with this.”

The three new cranes will be applied primarily in underground expansion, where they will be used for steel erection work; and in supporting mill shutdown work or other tasks around the site.

Smith added, “The RT cranes are the perfect size to operate in the underground environment and to support shutdown work around the mill area. Given the remote location of Irian Jaya, it’s also important for us that the cranes have an excellent lifespan - these RT cranes can work for 10 to 15 years.”

The RT765E-2 has a capacity of 60 tonnes and includes the Megaform boom found on Grove GMK all terrain cranes, but with full power capability, the company said.

The company’s RT530E-2 models have a 30 tonne capacity with a Tier III compliant 119 kilowatt (160 horsepower) QSB 6.7 litre Cummins diesel engine. The load-sensing hydraulic system uses piston pumps for crane functions, while the four-section, full-power boom is constructed from high-strength steel to reduce weight while maximising structural capacities, Grove explained.

The crane also includes the Crane Control System (CCS) from Manitowoc, plus dual axis electric joystick controllers, 3.8 tonnes of counterweight pinned to the superstructure and standard full length steel decking with anti-skid treatment.

“Compared to the older models, the initial LMI [load moment indicator] crane setup is much easier, and therefore, getting the cranes to work is much faster. There are more options for slew limits and boom angle limits,” Smith explained.

PT Freeport Indonesia is a subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan, one of the largest metals and mining companies in the world.