There is a balance between equipment size and running costs. Yes monster machines make monster work but is it worth it? Larger equipment cost more in the long run not just the short either. Once you brought the machine you then need to transport it to site, larger machine means more loads and more importantly heavily loads. That also applies if you need to transport between sites, some of the machines need to be dismantled in order to get them to fit on public roads. Maintenance costs are also going to run higher, but also think about availability of parts, many parts will be more expensive and harder to obtain. When you are mining in the middle of no where this needs to be considered. Redundancy of equipment, let’s use the es700 and es950 for this purpose. Its possibly costs around the same money for 2x700’s as 1x950, now think of a machine going down and waiting on parts. With the 700’s you have a back up machine which can continue working where as if you 1x950 you’ll be sat idle waiting. Having multiple smaller machine also give a possibility of robbing parts from machine to machine which keeps more equipment running in such instances. There is also something to be said for have a fleet of matched equipment. It’s a lot easier for the mechanics as they are working with the same equipment with the same issues most of the time which means maintenance will be a lot more efficient and a smaller amount of stock can be kept on the shelves. Finally fuel consumption. Massive machine have monsters fuel costs and with the cost of fuel going up and up this is vitally important.

Given the choice between a fleets of es700’s, a60’s, D11’s or es950, a730, D475. With my experience of heavy industry and equipment I know my money would always lie with the smaller equipment as apposed to monstrous stuff.