A new service launched by leading Cat dealer WesTrac has reduced machine downtime on mine sites by 32 per cent, setting a new benchmark for reliability and productivity in the Australian mining industry.
WesTrac’s Digger and Drill Services is designed to keep mining machines operating for longer.
On-site WesTrac experts and technicians handle the entire lifecycle of diggers and drills, delivering faster diagnosis of equipment issues, proactive monitoring of downtime catalysts and immediate on-site maintenance.
A mining customer using the newly created service in Western Australia recently reported a reduction of more than 760 hours in downtime.
That is equal to 3.6 million tonnes of additional ore moved on site.
The result came from the Digger and Drill Services team working directly with the miner to review asset lifecycle strategies and plan event sequencing.
A team of technicians was also embedded on site to provide specialist support.
The service can also execute machine rebuilds on site, removing the need to transport large rigs to the city.
This offers a high return on investment by extending asset life for a fraction of the cost of a new machine.
WesTrac CEO Jarvas Croome said the service had begun to address a gap in the sector.
“WesTrac’s Digger and Drill Services has started to fill a gap we’ve identified within the mining sector, by helping companies to improve machine availability, reliability and reduce downtime, ultimately streamlining their operations,” Jarvas explained.
The cradle-to-grave service is currently offered only in Western Australia. However, Croome said interest in the customised offering has already peaked in New South Wales.
Since its launch in 2024, Digger and Drill Services has delivered and supported nearly a dozen diggers and more than 18 drills across nine mine sites in Western Australia.
The sites span the Pilbara, Goldfields and South West regions.
Mining customers can choose the extent of support they receive from WesTrac. Options include on-ground maintenance at operating mine sites, a dedicated fly-in, fly-out shutdown crew, or full end-to-end maintenance and management.
Croome said the flexible structure reflects growing demand across the industry for complete support.
“For Australian operations, having a viable and flexible solution for end-to-end mining support in their own backyard is a gamechanger, particularly at a time of macroeconomic pressures, rising inflation, and global supply chain disruptions.”
The service is also creating jobs.
WesTrac Digger and Drill Services Business Unit Manager Chris Rowe said the new service area has doubled in headcount over the past two years, and further growth is expected as demand increases.
The company is now actively recruiting.
Highly experienced and skilled technicians are being sought to join the unit over the coming months, with a focus on people passionate about contributing to the Australian mining industry.
“In the next six months alone, we’ll be looking to bring on additional roles into the unit for highly experienced and skilled technicians who are passionate about making a difference in the Australian mining industry,” said Chris.
Rowe said the embedded model, combined with WesTrac’s Regional Branch network, positions the company to expand its reach.
That network will allow WesTrac to support mining customers across Western Australia and potentially beyond as the service matures.
With downtime a major cost driver for miners, results such as a 32 per cent reduction and millions of additional tonnes moved are likely to attract attention from operators seeking to lift productivity.
WesTrac says it will continue working closely with customers to tailor strategies that keep machines running and assets performing well into the future.
