Modern Mining May 2020

SUPPLY CHAIN News

Managing chute assets closely can cut maintenance costs ing to South African-based transfer point OEM, Weba Chute Systems.

Under today’s demanding economic con- ditions, many mines could improve the impact of their maintenance expenditure by being more vigilant and regularly recording wear data on transfer points. This is accord-

equipment and its maintenance require- ments become more complex. “It is not surprising that – as equipment used by mines becomes more technologi- cally advanced –more mines are relying increasingly on the expertise of OEMs,” she says. “Not only do we custom-design and manufacture innovative chute solutions for our customers, but we leverage the latest technology to track the performance of this equipment over time wherever possible.” This has allowed Weba Chute Systems to develop a detailed database of chute performance on sites all over the world and in a variety of operating conditions. The tracking of wear patterns is critical in applying preventive maintenance on site to optimise uptime. “For instance, chute lip measurements are taken to gauge the wear rate so we can accurately predict when replacement will be necessary,” she says. “The advan- tage of this is that the replacement can be scheduled at a convenient time, such as when the mine conducts its usual mainte- nance shutdown.” Without this wear data, wear parts are often replaced simply as a matter of course during the mine’s maintenance shutdown time, even though they still have plenty of wear-life. Teessen says that when a mainte- nance strategy is more scientifically based, greater value can be delivered by the equipment while the unnecessary replace- ment of components is avoided. 

Hennecke notes that a return to blast- ing in many underground mines was also necessary to prevent build-ups of rock pres- sure that could make workings unsafe. He emphasises that BME has made the nec- essary organisational adaptations to serve all its mining customers as they re-open operations. “While complying closely with the Covid- 19 regulations, we have made sure that vital blasting services to customers continue,” he says. “We work closely with customers and suppliers to ensure safety protocols such as social distancing, hygiene and screening are applied wherever we work.”  “It is true that too little maintenance is usually what causes problems for transfer point equipment on mines, but over-main- tenance is also a luxury that mines can no longer afford,” says Amanda Teessen, maintenance contracts manager at Weba Chute Systems. “Under today’s demanding economic conditions, many mines could improve the impact of their maintenance expenditure by being more vigilant and regularly recording wear data.” This function can also be outsourced through a maintenance contract with spe- cialised transfer point OEMs like Weba Chute Systems. This is especially advan- tageous to the end-user as both the

Weba Chute Systems team conducting on-site inspections.

BME supports mines during lockdown Through South Africa’s strict Covid-19 lock- down, essential service provider BME has supported coal mines’ blasting operations so that Eskom power stations can keep the country’s lights on. This ongoing support for the mining sector is now broadening into other commodities as more mines now ramp up partial production following recent amendments to the lockdown regulations. “Despite the many disruptions caused by the virus, it is crucial for the economy and livelihoods that mining returns as quickly as possible to a level of normality,” says Ralf Hennecke, BME’s GM: Technology and Marketing.

40  MODERN MINING  May 2020