Letšeng Diamonds increases uptime, efficiency and sustainability with Volvo machines supported by Babcock
LETŠENG Diamonds, one of the world’s leading producers of large, high-value rough diamonds, has reported strong performance gains following the introduction of Volvo machines at its Lesotho operation. Supported by Babcock, the exclusive Volvo Construction Equipment dealer in southern Africa, the fleet has delivered improved reliability, reduced fuel consumption and a lower total cost of ownership.
Operating in the Maluti Mountains, Letšeng faces extreme altitude, harsh weather and demanding production conditions. For Director of Operations Gideon Scheepers, selecting the right equipment partner was critical.
“Babcock took the time to understand our environment and ensure the machines were correctly specified for altitude and operating conditions,” he says. “That gave us confidence that the solution was tailored, not generic.”
Reliability driving production
The Volvo machines are deployed in primary production, feeding run-of-mine ore into the processing plants. In this environment, uptime is directly linked to revenue.
“Reliability has been excellent,” says Scheepers. “The machines are performing as expected and supporting our production targets. Downtime equals lost production, so uptime is critical.”
Babcock’s regional expertise also influenced the decision. “Their Bloemfontein team understands our requirements and consistently delivers strong support.”
Responsive support on site
Scheepers describes Babcock’s aftermarket service as “excellent all round”, citing dependable parts availability, skilled technicians and rapid response times.
“Whenever we’ve needed parts or technical assistance, the response has been fast. That gives us confidence in the long-term performance of the fleet.”
While Letšeng maintains its own maintenance systems, it also benefits from Volvo’s telematics and Babcock’s remote
monitoring.
“They track machine performance and alert us when something needs attention. Even when not used continuously, that extra layer of support adds value.”
Efficiency supporting sustainability
As part of the Gem Diamonds Group, Letšeng is focused on reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency. Fuel consumption plays a key role in this strategy.
“The Volvo equipment has delivered higher productivity with lower fuel burn,” says Scheepers. “These efficiencies are tangible, supporting both our sustainability goals and our cost base.”
A partnership delivering value
Beyond performance metrics, Scheepers highlights the strength of the partnership between Letšeng, Volvo and Babcock.“The machines are comfortable, operators are satisfied, and the overall cost of ownership — including maintenance, fuel efficiency and uptime — has been excellent. Combined with competitive pricing, it’s a solution that makes sense.”
Letšeng’s experience highlights the impact of strong OEM-dealer partnerships in mining. With Babcock’s technical expertise and support network, the operation has achieved measurable gains in productivity, efficiency and long-term value.
