Volvo EC200D delivers iron-clad performance in India

In 2017, India produced 210 million tonnes of iron ore, up 9 percent from the previous year, fuelled in part by the country’s push for infrastructure development. To meet growing demand, Indian iron ore producer Geomin Industries Pvt. Ltd. is relying on a Volvo EC200D excavator to help maximize profit at the company’s treatment plant. 

“With a capacity of over two million tonnes per annum, our iron ore treatment plant is one of the largest in central India,” said Sandeep Dasgupta, vice president of Geomin Industries. “With rising demand for iron ore-related products, we needed a machine like the Volvo EC200D, which has shorter cycle times and outstanding lifting capabilities, to keep up productivity.” 

Based in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, Geomin Industries produces iron ore concentrate, iron ore fines, and calibrated iron ore. The plant in Jabalpur was commissioned in 2010 and is the leading supplier of beneficiated iron ore in the state of Madhya Pradesh. 

The EC200D at the Jabalpur plant is one of two such units bought by Geomin Industries in the last few months. At the plant, the EC200D re-handles iron ore onto tipper trucks and feeds them into hoppers. Impressed by the machine’s fuel efficiency and productivity, Geomin Industries decided to add the model to its fleet. The company owns several Volvo excavator models, all purchased through local Volvo dealer Navin Infrasolutions Pvt. Ltd. 

Designed specifically for material loading, road construction, landscaping and utility work, Volvo’s EC200D is the fastest 20-ton class excavator on the market. The excavator features the powerful Volvo D5E Tier 3 engine to offer an output of 123 kW at 2,000 rpm. Coupled with compatible hydraulics, the EC200D is designed to operate quickly and with short cycle times. Configured with a 5.7 m boom, 2.9 m arm and 0.8 m3 bucket, the EC200D offers a maximum breakout force of 116 kN. 

Geomin Industries plans to expand its iron ore business with a second treatment plant and recently purchased nearly 200 acres of land in an industrial area in Hargarh, a village in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. The company was so impressed with the performance of Volvo excavators that it also plans to convert its fleet to an all-Volvo one to support the business expansion. 

“Volvo machines might be more of an investment upfront, but the returns justify the cost. We really like Volvo equipment because they are fuel-efficient, operator-friendly and easy and economical to maintain. The aftersales service support provided by Navin Infrasolutions is also very good,” Dasgupta said.