South African mining operations are adopting performance-based standards (PBS) vehicles to reduce transport costs and improve logistics as commodity price volatility and infrastructure constraints put pressure on efficiency. PBS vehicles, designed for higher payload capacity and reduced fuel consumption, are increasingly used in bulk material transport for commodities such as copper, lithium, heavy mineral sands and uranium. Able to carry up to 140 tonnes, these vehicles make fewer trips, easing congestion at loading and offloading points while lowering emissions.

This is according to John Kettlewell, Chief Executive Officer of Unitrans Mining Division, speaking ahead of the Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town this week.

Unitrans, an early adopter of PBS technology, operates a fleet of over 50 registered vehicles across the petroleum, mining and agricultural sectors. Kettlewell noted that the effectiveness of PBS vehicles lies in their ability to be tailored to specific mining conditions. “Each vehicle is designed for maximum productivity, safety and sustainability, ensuring that payload capacities align with the operational requirements of different minerals,” he said.

Mining logistics present unique challenges due to the scale and complexity of bulk material handling. PBS vehicles, which can transport up to 140 tonnes, help optimise payload efficiency while reducing fuel consumption and road congestion. Unitrans reports that, by reconfiguring vehicle designs, it has achieved a 20% reduction in fuel consumption per tonne hauled and decreased the number of vehicles required for a mining operation by 54%.

PBS vehicles also offer safety advantages over conventional trucks with studies showing lower crash involvement rates per kilometre. Improved stability, manoeuvrability and braking systems make them more suited to the challenging terrain of mining operations. Additionally, their design reduces road wear per tonne-kilometre and enables higher gross combination mass and cubic capacity, further improving transport efficiency.

While the transition to PBS vehicles requires upfront investment and specialised training, Kettlewell said the long-term cost and efficiency benefits justify the shift. “These vehicles have significantly improved transport efficiency, safety and environmental performance, aligning with the mining sector’s evolving operational demands,” he said.