The agreements, which are an end-to-end service solution tailored to the needs of each customer, are designed to reduce business costs by maximising the efficiency and life of the Cat longwall equipment through planned and tailored maintenance regimes, Hastings Deering executive general manager Adrian Carney said.

“Our customers tell us they want overhauls on time, on budget, and to be back producing at full capacity as scheduled, and that’s exactly what they can expect from a longwall service agreement,” he said.

“Whether a customer wants a dedicated specialist 24-7, large scale equipment overhauls or something in between, every aspect of a longwall service agreement from Hastings Deering is flexible.”

Taking the option of a priority agreement gives customers access to the Hastings Deering underground service centre – the only one of its kind in Queensland, according to Carney.

Customers also gain access to the Hastings Deering expanded mining product service facility in Mackay, which uses cutting-edge technology to monitor equipment and deliver the critical operational and maintenance information.

Carney said Hastings Deering’s investment in the service facility made it the only organisation that could diagnose, service and repair programmable mining control drive units, PMC roof control support units and Evo Shearer components in house.

“Our technicians provide the highest Code C and Code D overhauls for Cat shearers, AFC [armoured face conveyor] CST gearboxes, conveyors, and can service multiple roof supports at any one time,” he said.

“We have also made a significant capital investment on a new Evo Testing Lab. The Service Facility is specifically designed to minimise downtime and return equipment that’s ready to be at its most productive from the very next block.”

A dedicated longwall specialist can coordinate each overhaul, from program scoping through to commissioning, while all customers receive real time job tracking information against their project critical path.

Hastings Deering provide a fixed price scope of works, with special rebates on parts supplied, with original equipment manufactured parts used on all overhauls, and guarantees provided on all service commitments and workmanship.

The Hastings Deering underground service centre and expanded mining product service facility are AS3800 certified and ISO9001 compliant.