In this post, we will discuss that smart mine equipment maintenance means much more than simply a buzzword. It moves you from the mindset of “if something breaks, we fix it” to that of “we know something might break, so we fix it before it ever does.” It will help you avoid any brutal breakdown. It brings the entire operation to its knees.

1. The Shocking True Cost of a Breakdown

First, you must understand what you are actually up against. When a crusher grinds to a halt, you instantly think of the repair bill. However, hidden expenses are the real killers right here. For example, one can mention the wasted labor or the delayed shipments.

A single downtime incident in mining will usually cost around $180,000. Nevertheless, the unplanned downtime bill can soar to billions every year when these incidents pile up. Besides being an operational burden, it is a severe hit to the bottom line.

2. How Smart Maintenance Actually Works

So, how can you override those financial bullets? The reply to this will be by getting proactive and a bit psychic. You can do this by ascending the maintenance ladder to something much smarter than “fix-it-when-it-breaks” models. The final objective is what is known as predictive maintenance. Think of your equipment talking. It might murmur, “Hey, my left-front bearing is getting hot; you might like to check it out next week.” Smart mine equipment maintenance does exactly this. Sensors positioned on critical equipment continually monitor things such as temperature and pressure. This data will be evaluated by smart software capable of detecting tiny patterns that can result in big failures.

3. This Isn’t Just Theory: It’s Working Right Now

Perhaps it might appear to be like science fiction to you. Nevertheless, it is already providing genuine results today. For instance, you can mention Barrick Gold’s Cortez Mine in Nevada. They implemented machine learning plus sensors while investing in a predictive maintenance system. It helped them to avoid several major equipment failures. The company could save a staggering $600,000 simply by making one early detection for a single piece of equipment. Instead of being a projected saving, it is the money that was proactive and stayed in the bank.

Every repair becomes more effective due to this smart approach. The team is not going to depend on a hydraulic jack only when a haul truck needs to be repaired. They will use heavy duty truck jack stands to create a stable ambiance for technicians. Similarly, aluminium access platforms offer a safer workplace environment. This will be done by preventing falls and enabling workers to work safely using both hands. This combo of physical safety and data-driven insight is unstoppable.

Closing thoughts

Embracing smart maintenance will aid in preventing breakdowns. It will help you build a more efficient mining operation. On top of this, the operation will be building a safer and more resilient functioning. It is concerned with ensuring that the sole thing happening in your mine is the drill bit rather than your profits.

View Source: https://medium.com/@westateminingsupplies/avoid-costly-breakdowns-through-smart-mine-equipment-maintenance-ba3967308f84