Boddington 793D Dump Truck

Standing proudly as a landmark of Western Australia’s mining heritage, the Caterpillar® 793D dump truck at Boddington invites visitors to experience the true scale of modern mining. Towering overhead and impossible to miss, this retired haul truck offers a rare chance to get up close to a machine that once powered one of Australia’s largest gold mines.

For more than a decade, this truck worked deep in the Boddington Gold Mine, carrying rock from the open pit to crushers and waste dumps. Built for strength and endurance, it can haul up to 225 tonnes of material in a single load. Empty, it weighs nearly 160 tonnes. When fully loaded, it weighs more than 380 tonnes, comparable to the weight of 77 African elephants. Each tyre measures an incredible 3.6 metres in diameter, standing taller than two average adults.

Powered by a 16‑cylinder engine generating over 2,300 horsepower, the Caterpillar 793D was designed for rugged, off‑road conditions and spent its entire working life navigating specially built haul roads. Between 2009 and 2021, it completed an estimated 132,000 load cycles, moving around 29 million tonnes of rock, making it a key contributor to the success of the Boddington operation.

Today, the mine has transitioned to a fully autonomous fleet, making this truck a fascinating snapshot of a turning point in mining history. Located just a short walk from the town centre of Boddington, this impressive display offers an engaging stop for travellers, history enthusiasts, families, and anyone curious about the machines that help shape the mining industry.