Ensham Equipment Optimisation Project

Bucyrus 8750 Dragline 4 Switchboards

Ensham’s equipment optimisation program included the purchase of a new 6600 tonne Bucyrus 8750 dragline to cater for future expansion of operations and slash unit cost of production from the open cut operations. The $100 million contract with Bucyrus Australia was commenced in December 2004, with the dragline commissioned in Q4 2006.

• The Bucyrus 8750 is the world’s second largest dragline and will increase stripping capacity by approximately 60% while shaving 75% off overburden removal costs.

• A key feature of the Dragline 4 project was the high local content in the steel fabrication and cast components 85% of which were supplied and manufactured within Australia.

• Construction of the dragline involved steel manufacturing, heavy engineering, fabrication and casting components produced in Australia as well as in widespread centres in the USA.

The Motor Control Centres, Power Distribution Boards, and Control Cubicles were designed and manufactured to meet the requirements of the project by Power Electric Switchboards in Brisbane in collaboration with Bucyrus Australia Pty Ltd.