Throughout 2022, Liebherr Mining supported its long-term partner Thiess – a global mining services provider – as the company expands its presence in the Americas. Eleven T 264 trucks were supplied to Thiess in total, divided between two mine sites: one in Chile and one in the USA. Liebherr worked closely with Thiess to ensure that the supplied trucks met the unique needs of each of these mine sites.
Thiess began its operations in the Americas in 2015, when it was awarded a services agreement for the Encuentro open-pit copper mine in Chile. Since this time, Thiess has solidified its reputation as a reliable mine services provider in the region.
Increasing efficiencies in South America
In June 2022, Liebherr delivered five of the eleven T 264 mining trucks for Thiess to Encuentro, the same copper mine in northern Chile that marked Thiess’ first foray into the South American market.
“South America is essential to Thiess’ long-term growth and building our diversification into commodities such as copper and gold,” said Darrell White, Thiess Executive General Manager Americas. “As we continue to build our presence in the Americas, we’re continually looking for innovative ways to provide solutions for our clients that deliver safety, sustainability, and productivity benefits. Liebherr’s T 264s boost our fleet numbers and provide our clients with the opportunity to increase production capacity.”
These mining trucks will help to increase the productivity and efficiency of Encuentro mine with their payload of 240 tonnes, high speed on grade, incredibly fast cycle times, and the best power-to-payload ratio in their class. The T 264s also deliver increased operator safety with an ergonomically designed cab, maximum visibility during operation, and protection against both roll-over and falling objects. Further, these trucks are designed so that zero emissions technology can be retrofitted into the machines, thus future-proofing Thiess’ investment in this equipment.
First joint project in the USA
Thiess was awarded its first contract within the USA not long after establishing its first permanent office in the country in early 2021. In order for Thiess to fulfil its contractual obligations, it needed to supply its customer with six of Liebherr’s T 264 trucks. The collaboration between Liebherr and Thiess to meet this customer’s expectations marked the first time the two companies have conducted joint business in the USA in their partnership of over 30 years.
“Liebherr was honoured to be chosen as the partner for Thiess’ launch in the USA,” said Shane Kuhlmey, Divisional Director of Mining for Liebherr USA. Liebherr and Thiess ensured that the six trucks could operate at high altitudes without derating, which involved the inclusion of heated dump bodies and additional fuel and engine heaters.
“The unique application, coupled with the difficult operating conditions, allowed for Liebherr to exercise all of its capabilities to deliver a reliable product on time for this project,” Kuhlmey said. With the help of its Newport News truck factory, Liebherr was able to deliver all six of the T 264 to Thiess ahead of schedule, demonstrating the OEM’s commitment to meeting customer needs.
As Thiess seeks to continue expanding its operations in North America, Liebherr will offer its longstanding customer dedicated support services and best-in-class assets. These services will ensure that the Liebherr equipment delivered to Thiess will continue to provide a high level of productivity and efficiency to the service provider’s customers.
“As Thiess expands in America, we will be right there with them providing high-quality solutions that deliver on our commitments to the mining industry,” explained Kuhlmey.