A mine’s profitability is dependent upon its ability to extract and transport product reliably and efficiently. To reduce overall expenses and therefore cost-per-ton, it is essential that vehicles remain in operation, and downtime (due to either maintenance or failure) is minimised.
According to data from IDC, the focus areas for development in the mining industry are safety improvement, asset automation, and the management and control of mine operations. The research firm found that two of every three mining companies globally are looking at remote operation and monitoring centres. Global companies like Glencore, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, and Vale are leading the way in the industry by adopting new technology in the form of wireless sensors and software.
Tan Delta work with operators of mining equipment globally, implementing oil condition monitoring sensors to improve their financial return and improve general operational reliability and safety. The condition of oil in engines, gearboxes and hydraulic systems will determine the efficiency and productivity of mobile assets (e.g. rock crushers, excavators and trucks). From a productivity perspective, operators can treat their data as an asset, monitoring oil condition in real-time and analysing the data, will improve decision making, advance performance and boost efficiency, while eliminating unnecessary costs and waste, by being able to anticipate machinery failures.
“By installing Tan Delta’s sensor technology, we are able to prevent unscheduled downtime at the mine by receiving early warnings of pending problems. This enables resources to be secured in advance, so that the issue can be addressed on scheduled maintenance days, before the equipment fails” – Tan Delta Client – Engineering Manager at a copper mine in Arizona, USA.