The workshops are ISO-9001-approved and meet all legislative requirements as part of the registration of the recognised service facility, ensuring they remain among the leading providers of diesel-related maintenance activities for both workshop and field services, DMS general manager for NSW workshops Dominic Posavec said.

“DMS provides their workers and customers with qualified, trained and competent personnel to repair and maintain underground diesel equipment in coal mines of Queensland and New South Wales,” he said.

“These certifications will further enhance the support of DMS’ Atlas Copco Coaltram, whose forecast volumes are expected to increase significantly as they become accepted as the leading LHD in Australia’s underground coal sector.

“The workshops are an example of DMS’ commitment to excellence in meeting and exceeding the industry benchmarks associated with diesel maintenance services.”

DMS completed its latest sale of two Coaltram utility vehicles to underground mine contractor Mastermyne for use in Xstrata’s Oaky Creek complex in Queensland in December last year.

The two Coaltram vehicles were handed over to Mastermyne in November and will ultimately be placed at Oaky Creek to support Mastermyne’s local operations and contracts.

DMS via its subsidiary, Anderson Group of Companies, released its Coaltram load haul dump/utility vehicle to the underground coal sector in mid-2009 after four years of development and prototyping.

The Coaltram’s clean-burning, low-emission, electronically controlled engine is a large technological leap for the industry. The engine and other onboard systems are managed and continuously monitored by intelligent explosion-protected electronics.

These electronics are interfaced to the operators and maintenance people through numerous basic and simple-to-understand display screen pages.

Manufactured in Beresfield near Newcastle, Australia, by the Anderson Group with global support from Atlas Copco Sweden, the Coaltram is available in 10-tonne and 13t models. Additional size models and variations to the front frame to change the vehicle configuration are underway, driven by market demand and customer involvement.

The Coaltram is the latest in articulated diesel-powered LHD/utility vehicle designs.

The first three Coaltram CT10s were purchased by Donaldson Coal’s Abel mine in mid-2009, while other Coaltrams have since been delivered to different local mining operations. Customers include Xstrata Coal and BHP Billiton, while both Centennial Coal and Peabody are engaged in ongoing trials of the product.