Volvo said Oxbow’s package included two Volvo L150G and two L180G loading shovels, which will serve as the main movers of up to one million tonnes of imported coal annually.

The miner, processor and fuel supplier’s commercial manager, Mark Robinson, said the decision was made following a competitive tender process.

“We’ve run Volvos in the past and had a positive experience when it comes to reliability. Secondly, the offer from Volvo represented good value for money, with the prospect of high residual values, competitive serving costs and the proximity of the local support centre,” he said.

“All four machines are equipped with attachment brackets to facilitate a quick changeover of attachments. This gives us total flexibility on site, although we’ve put the two larger L180G loading shovels in charge of receiving and storing incoming material.”

That includes ramping up the coal into stockpiles to use their high-capacity bulk material buckets and bespoke pusher blades, while the L150Gs will be deployed loading out material into road-going wagons or by train using hi-tip buckets.

The fleet is part of a significant investment by Oxbow’s US office and also includes screening equipment, lighting towers, additional mobile plant and ancillary equipment.

The machines, which have Volvo’s Blue service agreements, will be supported by the original equipment manufacturer’s local Immingham customer support center.

Oxbow is based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Its US coal operation is Elk Creek in western Colorado.