The original equipment manufacturer (OEM) did not identify the buyers of the units, which are powered by a C7.1 mechanical engine and comply with Tier II emission standards.

Product support manager Richard Hickson said that the productivity of operations will benefit from the model's increased engine performance; it has 8% more power and 20% higher torque, and a lower RPM means reduced engine wear and lower emissions.

"The LS312 loader is an enhanced 12t high-capacity heavy-duty utility vehicle, building on the best features of our 10t LS190 and 12t LS190S models," he said. "This raises the bar once more in terms of better performance, reduced emissions and lower total cost of ownership."

The LS312's new design includes an enhanced 12t axle and strengthened structural integrity of the front frame. It has an optional electronic shutdown system so crews can more easily provide fault diagnosis and repair.

Also, for maintenance, workers will have easier access to hydraulic test points as they are now located within a panel on the machine's side. Maintenance time will also be reduced with the machine's improved cooling system.

The Sandvik LS312 LHD additionally has onboard data monitoring capabilities, Sandvik noted, for information transfer on the mine's Wi-Fi network along with management via the My Sandvik Cloud platform.

"Safety is paramount in all our designs, and a proximity detection interface is now provided as standard," Hickson said. "The lower frame design - facilitating improved visibility for the operator - has been retained in the LS312."