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Banks makes six figure investment in machinery at Northumberland mine

Banks Mining has bolstered the plant fleet at its Shotton surface mine, Northumberland, after making a six-figure investment in new machinery.

Taking delivery of its first Komatsu PC3000-6 mining shovel, the family-owned firm will use the hardware to assist in the site’s restoration and coal removal

The 265-tonne face shovel is Banks’ latest adoption of Komatsu machinery, following a significant investment made earlier this year in three, 27.5 tonne Komatsu WA470-8 loading shovels.

Banks Mining has been working in south east Northumberland for well over three decades, and contributes around £35m to the regional economy every year from the Shotton and Brenkley Lane sites through wages, investments and the local supply chain.

Robbie Bentham, plant director at Banks Mining, commented: “Enhancing our plant fleet with the required equipment is essential for helping our teams working our surface mining sites in the safest, most responsible and most efficient, low emission, way possible, and this is the latest investment that we’ve made in recognition of the skills and expertise that they bring to the job.

“We have a good relationship with the Komatsu team, and the reliability and quality of the product made it the right choice for this task.”

Jacquie Walton, Komatsu’s general manager at KMG Warrington, added: “We are proud to be associated with Banks Mining at their Shotton site, and worked closely with the Banks personnel to ensure that we met their needs with the machine and on-site support package.”

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