September 14, 2026 - A massive dragline relocation at one of Australia’s largest coal mines demonstrated just how far heavy transport technology has advanced, with crews lifting a 3,100-tonne mining machine 2.5 metres off the ground before carrying it nearly 27 kilometres on self-propelled modular transporters.

Heavy-lift specialist Mammoet carried out the operation at BHP Mitsubishi Alliance’s Peak Downs metallurgical coal mine in Queensland, Australia, relocating a Marion 8050 dragline to support mining activities in the operation’s southern pits.

Rather than allowing the enormous dragline to make the journey under its own power, crews used a specially configured SPMT system capable of moving the machine substantially faster while reducing wear on the dragline.

Preparing the machine for transport was an engineering operation in itself. Eight JS500 jacking towers were used to raise the approximately 3,100-tonne dragline about 2.5 metres, allowing the transport system to be positioned underneath it.

The dragline was then supported by five sets of 28 SPMT axle lines, providing a total of 140 axle lines and 560 tires. The configuration distributed the immense load while keeping ground pressure below approximately nine tonnes per square metre.

Once loaded, the dragline began its roughly 27-kilometre journey across the Peak Downs mine.

The transportation system was capable of speeds of up to approximately 5 km/h. By comparison, a dragline traveling under its own walking system may cover only about one kilometre in 12 hours.

The relocation was completed in approximately 10 days, with the transport operation covering as much as eight kilometres during a single day.

One of the biggest challenges came when the route encountered an active coal railway operated by Aurizon.

Crews had a 72-hour shutdown window in which to construct a temporary crossing, move the 3,100-tonne dragline across the railway and restore the track for coal traffic. Failure to complete the crossing during the scheduled window could have resulted in a delay of several months.

Ground conditions also presented challenges along the route. Steel mats were installed in softer areas to provide sufficient support for the transporters and their enormous load.

Mammoet said extensive engineering and planning were required to determine the route, evaluate ground conditions and develop the SPMT configuration needed to safely transport the dragline.

The project demonstrated an alternative to traditional dragline walking for long-distance relocations at large surface mines. By using modular transport equipment, mining companies can potentially reduce relocation time and return major production equipment to service sooner.

The Peak Downs operation is part of the BHP Mitsubishi Alliance and is a major producer of metallurgical coal used in steelmaking.

The successful move has been described as establishing a new benchmark for large-scale dragline transportation in Australia, combining heavy lifting, modular transport and detailed route engineering to relocate one of the mining industry’s largest pieces of mobile equipment.