CJD supply Re:Group with the Volvo EC950E Excavator

September 21, 2022
Quarry Magazine

After servicing the civil construction industry for some 15 years AK Evans was acquired last year by Michael Still, who had been involved with the business for some time, leading to a period of significant change for the company. 


The strategic decision was made to complete a re-branding and, in doing so, commence a new journey in the life of the business. From late-July the former AK Evans is now Re:Group.


Re:Group is a new company with a new identity. It has re-established itself to its loyal clients and the broader mining industry as a dynamic, full-service, civil construction, mining, labour resourcing and equipment hire company.


A key partner in this period of transition was CJD Equipment. Founded in 1974, CJD Equipment is a highly regarded and long-standing national distributor of civil construction equipment and trucks. 


It has a broad product portfolio consisting of familiar industry brands including, Volvo, SDLG, Kenworth and many more. 


“CJD really came alongside myself personally through the transition, as we acquired AK Evans and as we’ve gone through some pretty substantial change, including the rebranding,” Re:Group managing director Michael Still told Quarry.


“They have been incredibly accommodating as far as ensuring product support is there for us, parts support is there for us, that the new fleet that we’ve been acquiring over the last 12 months is delivered on time and in full.”


“All the way up to their managing director, Alan Barnett, who has taken the time to really understand our business, the transition we’ve been going through, but then supporting our growth.”


Re:Group’s growth phase has been significant. “We’re doubling and tripling our business,” Still said.


“CJD have been right by our side, they have come on this journey with us and believe in what we are doing, which they’ve clearly done, and really supported us through the transition.” 


Re:Group is a company with three key offerings to the resources sector including: a full-service civil construction, mining, equipment and labour resource; a heavy haulage and transport resource with experienced, safety-first operators; a renewables resource providing site preparation, construction and installation services for large-scale solar and wind farm projects across Australia. 


In terms of equipment hire Re:Group has an extensive fleet of excavators including, 35 tonne, 48 tonne and 95 tonne Volvo machines supplied by CJD.


In addition to the excavators Re:Group has a fleet of Volvo wheel loaders also supplied by CJD, including the smaller L90H loader through to the highly versatile and fuel-efficient L150H loader.


CJD has also supplied the company with its fleet of Volvo articulated haulers, including A40G and A60H machines which are reliable, durable and fuel efficient.


“Our fleet is a full complement of Volvo excavators, Volvo loaders, and Volvo haulers,” Still said.


“We chose Volvo CE because as a brand, they’re very innovative and I find that Volvo has a strong focus on innovation. 


“We’re keen to partner with OEMs such as Volvo that push what we believe is possible, and bring that to life in their products.”


“We’re a significant purchaser of Volvo CE in Australia, due to our buying power and the size of our fleet, so we get really good support from CJD and Volvo at all levels.”


CJD has maintained a 30-year relationship with Volvo which has allowed the company to offer a strong product range and be regarded within the industry as a reliable, authorised dealer of Volvo machinery.


With CJD representing Volvo CE for so many years, it has placed the company at the very front of manufacturer technology and equipment developments within the resources sector. 


Volvo’s prime aim has been to develop products and services that increase on-site productivity, with machinery and equipment that produces low energy consumption, ease of use and durability, successfully offsetting unplanned repairs and maintenance.


Volvo CE’s corporate core values are safety, environment, and operator comfort.


At Re:Group, the major excavator of choice is the mighty Volvo EC950E, the largest model in Volvo’s range of excavators. 


Introduced into the market in 2016, the EC950E is powered by the Volvo D16 6-cylinder diesel engine, producing 446kw at 1800 RPM power and 2650 Nm of torque at 1350 RPM.


It produces high torque at low engine RPM, translating into good fuel economy and excellent productivity. 


The machine has a heavy-duty design, robust operator protection, reliability, stability and features wear-resistant components with easy service access, including ground level servicing and grouped grease banks, which ensure safety and minimal downtime while on-site.


The upper area of the EC950E is easy to access, with handrails and footsteps ideally positioned to provide secure three-point contact, resulting in increased safety and accessibility for the operator.

With the Volvo EC950E offering so many features Re:Group is confident in its investment. 


“We had a need to provide an excavator for a long-term project. It was going to be out there for five years as a minimum and so we really needed to find an excavator that was going to be versatile with the capacity to do more as the mine project developed,” Still said.


“We really felt with the EC950E that it provides capacity both now and into the future, that the EC950E was capable of handling extra load further and further into the project.”


There were many reasons why Still and his team believed the EC950E offered the best long-term solution for the client.


“We felt that the hydraulic system on the EC950E meant that we would have faster cycle times, essentially load more haulers on any given day,” Still said.


“The other reason is that the operation that we placed the EC950E into is free dig, it’s not a drill and blast operation, so the excavator with its superior breakout force – in comparison to other products by other equipment manufacturers in the 100-tonne excavator category – was why we chose the EC950E,” Still added. 


As Re:Group continues to grow its strong ongoing partnerships with CJD and Volvo, they continue to place a premium on providing its clients with the most cost-effective, versatile and reliable solutions for their construction equipment needs.


CJD supply Re:Group with the Volvo EC950E Excavator

Re:Group NEWS

WA company sets roots in Mount Isa

By Story by iQ Industry Queensland Mining News • October 15, 2025
Western Australian mine services company RE:GROUP is setting to significantly expand its presence in North-West Queensland. RE:GROUP has contracts with Austral Resources to deliver mining and haulage services at the Lady Annie project north of Mount Isa. Austral recently added the Rocklands operation about 17km north of Cloncurry to its balance sheet, having bought it from administrators. Austral imposed a two-year hiatus to operations to refurbish the crushing circuit and develop projects around the site for feedstock. RE:GROUP managing director Michael Still said they had established a good relationship with Austral at Lady Annie and would be up to providing services at Rocklands. RE:GROUP Managing Director Michael Still “I guess that’s the benefit of the partnership between us and Austral is we’re both the mining contractor and the bulk haulage contractor,” he said. “And the reason that that’s really important is that you’ve got two groups that are working really closely together. “Rocklands’ demands include the need for significant trucking and RE:GROUP is pretty innovative. “We’re already looking at ways to run quad road trains where we electrify the axles of the trailers and reduce fuel emissions in the trucks because we want to ensure that we’re minimising the impact on the environment. “It could be another 20 trucks on the road. Now 20 trucks is 60 jobs on a two-in-one roster day and night, and that’s significant just for one of the deposits.” RE:GROUP is currently delivering up to 750,000t a month via its 100t fleet offer and their ultra-quad road trains, running from pit to the Mount Kelly processing plant. Austral Resources’ work to develop common user process facilities reflected successful models used in Western Australia, Mr Still said. “We see it in Western Australia where it works really well,” he said. “We’ve got common user facilities that the government has put together from a port capacity perspective for bulk commodities. What that means is the juniors, the small guys, have a way to get their product to market. “If I translate that to what’s happening here in Queensland, particularly Mount Isa, and particularly with the Austral story, you’ve got them acquiring the Rocklands asset with their Lady Annie asset. “All of a sudden you’ve got two sites that can process both forms of copper within a couple hundred kilometres of each other. I think it’s quite exciting.” The partnership developed with Austral, which promoted safety and helped keep costs down, gave them confidence to invest more in Queensland, Mr Still said. “We’re ultimately responsible for making the call on what we invest as a business – its significant amounts worth of capital – and need to have the confidence to be repaid and quickly,” he said. “You can’t do that unless you’ve got a partner that you understand. The benefit of having the last 18 months working together with Austral is we’ve been through some trying times together and we’ve pulled out the other end. “We’re certainly a lot stronger together as a team.” Find the article here: https://industryqld.com.au/wa-company-sets-roots-in-mount-isa/

Re:Group Awarded Mining Contract at Thunderbird Operations

By RE:GROUP • June 9, 2025
RE:GROUP is proud to announce its appointment as the waste mining contractor for the Thunderbird Mineral Sands Project, operated by Kimberley Mineral Sands (KMS) in Western Australia's West Kimberley region. This award marks a significant milestone in RE:GROUP’s growth, expanding our presence in one of the most important mineral sands developments in the country. Our scope includes the full delivery of waste mining activities, enabling the client’s ore production targets by removing overburden material efficiently and safely. Mobilisation commenced earlier this year, with full-scale operations now established. The project showcases RE:GROUP’s ability to deploy quickly, operate effectively in remote regions, and apply tailored methodologies to meet the specific needs of the site. Michael Rose, Chief Operating Officer at Kimberley Mineral Sands, said RE:GROUP’s appointment plays a critical role in the next phase of Thunderbird’s ramp-up. “Their proven capability and experience will be critical as we accelerate our waste mining program to support our increased rates of production,” Mr Rose said. “This is a major step forward in our company’s journey,” said Michael Still, RE:GROUP Managing Director. “We have built a reputation for reliable performance across copper, iron ore, manganese and now mineral sands. Partnering with KMS at Thunderbird gives us an opportunity to apply our strengths to a world-class project and contribute meaningfully to the Kimberley region and our other business partners.” RE:GROUP continues to grow, from its roots in Port Hedland into a nationally operating business, while remaining committed to local connection and community impact. The alignment between RE:GROUP and KMS extends beyond operational delivery, with a shared commitment to creating opportunities for Traditional Owners and Indigenous communities through employment, training and partnerships. “Our people are the reason we can take on and deliver projects like Thunderbird,” Still said. “From the field to the office, our team’s capability and culture are what drive our success.” With a growing presence across multiple commodities, RE:GROUP continues to cement its position as a trusted mining services partner across Australia.

RE:GROUP APPOINTED HEAD CONTRACTOR FOR EXTENSION IRON ORE PROJECT

By RE:GROUP • April 28, 2025
Pilbara, Western Australia — RE:GROUP Australia Pty Ltd is excited to announce its appointment as the Head Mining Services Contractor for the Extension Iron Ore Project in the East Pilbara region of Western Australia. This significant milestone further solidifies RE:GROUP’s position as one of Australia’s most dynamic and fast-growing mining services companies. The contract, awarded by Extension Iron Ore Pty Ltd, entrusts RE:GROUP with the full responsibility for both the development and operational delivery of the project. In partnership with Macro Mining Services Pty Ltd (MMS), a subsidiary of Macro Metals Limited (ASX: M4M), RE:GROUP will oversee the complete lifecycle of the mine, delivering high-quality services from the initial stages to full production. A Transformational Step Forward “This project is a defining moment for our company,” Michael Still added. “It not only validates the precision and capability we’ve built into our operations, but it also sets the stage for RE:GROUP’s next phase of growth — not just in the Pilbara, but across Australia. We’re focused on delivering value to every stakeholder involved and continuing to lead the way in mining excellence.” Project Scope and Collaboration Under the terms of the contract, RE:GROUP and our strategic partner Macro Mining Services (MMS) — a subsidiary of Macro Metals Limited (ASX: M4M) will take full charge of technical, developmental, and operational services, including securing all remaining project approvals, establishing the mine site, and managing the core operations such as drilling, blasting, mining, and haulage. Additionally, RE:GROUP will handle the delivery of saleable iron ore to the Utah Point Bulk Handling Facility in Port Hedland. Macro Mining Services will provide exclusive technical services such as exploration, permitting, and mine planning. The two companies will collaborate on-site for establishment and operational works, with MMS exclusively managing the crushing and screening operations under a build-own-operate model. Strategic Location and Project Potential The Extension Iron Ore Project spans 27.6 km² and is ideally located near major mining hubs — just 2 km from BHP’s Yandi Operations and 20 km from Rio Tinto’s Yandicoogina site. With an Indicated Mineral Resource of 16.1 Mt at 54.2% Fe, the project shows promising upgrade potential, with test work indicating a possible increase in iron content to over 57% Fe through dry screening. The site’s proximity to Port Hedland and RE:GROUP’s strategic logistics hub will provide substantial operational efficiencies, facilitating smoother stockpiling, haulage, and blending processes. Shaping the Future of Mining RE:GROUP’s appointment marks a significant step forward for the company and signals its growing influence in the Australian mining sector. The partnership with Macro Mining Services is a powerful example of how aligned businesses can drive innovation, operational success, and lasting impact. “We’re excited to work alongside Macro Mining Services to deliver a project that will benefit local communities, regional economies, and create long-term value,” Michael Still concluded. “This collaboration is proof that when businesses share a vision and align their strengths, the results speak for themselves.” As RE:GROUP moves forward with the Extension Iron Ore Project, the company is poised to continue leading national growth in the mining industry, with a commitment to operational excellence, safety, and sustainable practices.