Newmont’s Custom-Built EWP Takes on the Challenges of Lihir Island

This month, we’re putting Newmont’s DHT160AS on FTS800 Isuzu EWP in the spotlight. Newmont is a prominent producer of gold and other precious metals, with mining operations worldwide. This specialist vehicle has been designed to withstand the harshest environments while carrying out HV power transmission line work at the gold mines on the island of Lihir off the coast of Papua New Guinea.
This particular mine is located in a geothermally active, extinct volcanic crater. When the Newmont team approached Waimea Group, we knew this wouldn’t be a standard bucket truck build. This elevated work platform will be exposed to a highly sulphurous and labor-intensive environment, with an extremely hot climate putting this unit at risk of corrosion and other health and safety hazards.
To be fit for purpose for the Newmont team, this build comes with a variety of features. Due to the harsh environment, this unit is covered with a ballistic flex clear coating that will protect it from chemicals and corrosion, increasing the vehicle’s performance and reducing downtime for years to come. Unlike any other build we have done at Waimea, this bucket truck comes equipped with a fridge driven off the truck’s battery to ensure hydration for its operators in the heat. Another top feature of this build is the ergonomic bucket access steps with three points of contact, high grip, and non-corrosive service, adding another layer of safety for the operators.
Newmont’s choice to work with Waimea on their specialist EWP means they’ll be sending a unit to Lihir that is carefully and innovatively designed to be ideally suited for its specific environment in the mines, making it a highly productive and valuable asset in their operation.
Watch the video below where Gareth Deck shows you some of the stand out features on this specialist build
Want to learn more about our extensive product range? Contact Gareth deck today at 0800 00 39 30 or enquire through the link below for more information.