Predictive maintenance key for fleet management

23rd October 2020

By: Khutso Maphatsoe

journalist

     

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The mining industry is trending towards the adoption of predictive maintenance, intelligent prognostics and the leveraging of the Industrial Internet of Things, all of which assist in improving asset reliability.

These technologies can pinpoint the components of machines that are likely to fail, and autonomously trigger service and order spare parts, says mining engineering firm Basil Read Mining maintenance manager Patience Nyatwa.

She adds that smart machines can be networked and remotely monitored, and their data modelled and continually analysed using sophisticated embedded systems.

“In line with the new norm for world-class companies, Basil Read has adopted predictive and preventive maintenance as opposed to fail and fix,” Nyatwa says.

Basil Read mining subsidiary hydraulic and electronic repair specialist company HYTRONIX provides an alternative maintenance and support offering for various original-equipment manufacturers in load and haul, and blast hole drilling operations.

“HYTRONIX has notable accomplishments in many aspects of repair and maintenance for mining, construction and earthmoving equipment,” says Nyatwa.

Further, owing to the company’s ability to generate unique and innovative solutions for complex fleet maintenance challenges for clients, it has achieved a highly efficient fleet through sustainable partnerships, says speciality contractor Blasting and Excavating engineering director Deon Rajoo.

He notes that these solutions include fault finding, pressure adjustments, machine services, modifications, rebuilds, fitting and general structural repairs that include the assembly and disassembly of ultra-large mining equipment.

“An effective fleet maintenance strategy is vital to any mining operation, as the plant and equipment constitute a crucial element in mine operations’ achieving their production targets,” he stresses.

Rajoo adds that another key focus area is the development of employees through training to drive maintenance interventions that ensure longer component life and result in a healthy fleet.

“This training experience will provide growth opportunities on a personal and business level while reducing the frequency of errors, which is especially important, as basic mistakes can significantly reduce the operating life of, or even destroy, machinery,” he says.

Maintenance Systems

Rajoo notes that achieving a reliable productive fleet that is optimally maintained and operated by competent high-performing people results in maximum efficiency.

As such, restoring highly effective, high-quality, efficient field support delivers operational performance.

Under Rajoo’s leadership, the Basil Read Mining Engineering division has developed a new engineering strategic agenda to deliver on five key objectives – asset health, maintenance quality, component life, people structure and data integrity.

The aim with these objectives is to optimise profitability and assist the company in consistently achieving or exceeding its contract requirements.

Rajoo adds that performance predictability is also a key indicator, while integrated maintenance systems, such as the Basil Read Mining Asset Management Tool – a standard maintenance system designed to improve availability, reliability and efficiency – is important in helping Basil Read enhance its predictability.

“Our asset management tool system integrates in-house and external systems to manage key performance criteria and improve our maintenance strategy.

“It also enables a full life-cycle costing on our operating assets and provides real time cost-benefit analyses or point of maximum feasibility to guide replacement cycles.”

The aim is to – once again – become the benchmark in owning and operating heavy mining equipment by applying data and corrective measures to an ageing fleet, Rajoo concludes.

 

Edited by Nadine James
Features Deputy Editor

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