A trio of Rokbak RA40s are said to be excelling at an Indonesian nickel mine.
On an island on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, 2000km north-east of Java, the machines are operating across a 45,065-hectare mining site. At the remote location in North Maluku, the haulers operate up and down steep inclines, through mud, dirt, grit and gravel, for close to 24 hours a day, and all in 30°C heat.
Required to move around 450 tonnes of biomass and quarry materials in a day, Rokbak explained that each RA40 will record approximately 6,000 operating hours per year. The haulers are tasked with removing overburden and providing mine development support for the acquisition of nickel, the harder-than-iron metal. Every full-capacity payload sees each RA40 transport overburden 2km to a project access road and biomass dump for disposal.
Nickel is found in the likes of coins, turbine blades, in stainless steel and kitchenware, and in mobile phones, laptops and TVs.
PT Hillcon has completed hundreds of projects across the archipelago in coal and nickel operations. Its current occupation in the nickel deposit of Weda Bay, in North Maluku, is a five-year process that started in 2021.
The three Rokbak haulers were acquired by Hillcon through Rokbak dealer PT Uniquip, an equipment supplier based in Jakarta.
The RA40s entered Weda Bay in February 2022. Daily operations for each begin at 7am and conclude at 6:45am the following day, across a two-shift driver pattern. Rokbak said the long hours benefit from the truck’s ‘high-performance’ fluid transmission providing 6,000 hours of operating time before requiring an oil change.
Rokbak regional business manager Lee Irving regularly makes visits to Indonesia. He said, “This particular site is extremely challenging, with high levels of mud, uneven ground and precarious terrain that gets even worse when the notorious Indonesian wet season rolls around. To put it mildly, when it rains, it really rains!”
Rokbak added that when times get tough, that’s when this trio of RA40s really excel, with the 38-tonne hauler designed to make light work of large-scale quarry, mine and construction jobs.
“With long shift patterns, we’ve been able to see first-hand the RA40’s performance and productivity in Weda Bay, with the truck’s heavy-duty axles coping extremely well against slippage and the subsidence you often find on site,” added Uniquip sales manager Rachmad Sembiring.
The RA40’s modulating transmission retarder is coupled with an exhaust brake and fully enclosed forced oil-cooled multidisc brakes for total control – even on steep inclines.
“The trucks need to be powerful, but safe,” said Hillcon jobsite superintendent Ahmad Siswandi. “Seeing an RA40 perform in our mud has proven its worth, and we like that it’s a strong, powerful truck that remains the same performer in difficult conditions.
“The RA40 engine power is exceptional, and the stability of the truck makes the operator feel secure and safe. The instrumental panel is clear, easy and accessible, and the reverse-camera is sharp, with added versatility to operate when moving forward as well.
“The cab’s very comfortable and the air-con has stood out with praise from our operators – and in our climate that is a massive plus!”
