With the broadest line of mining equipment in the industry, Cat mining systems work harder, last longer and help move more material at a lower cost.

Working with Eaton can help you better manage costs, mitigate risk, protect people and equipment.

High pressure water as an ore flow solution: A mining innovation partnership between MacLean Engineering and Newcrest's Telfer mine in Western Australia delivers the world's first-ever sub level water cannon. http://www.macleanengineering.com/media-en/the-rig-report/180-wc3-water-cannon

Immersive Technologies has released further detailed verified results arising from their work with key mining customers. In partnership with mine management teams across Australia, North America, Latin America, Africa, Europe and Asia Immersive has delivered dozens of Continuous Improvement (CI) projects that have helped miners control costs, lift productivity and maintain safety standards. Verified in-pit gains over the last 12 month period include: US$1,100,000 haul truck fuel savings for a North American Mine 72% reduction in machine abuse events for a North American Mine US$500,000+ fuel savings at an Indonesian Mine US$770,000 tire life savings at an Indonesian Mine 68% reduction in haul truck down time for a Latin American Mine 4.9% spot time improvement at a Latin American Mine 31% reduction in equipment abuse events at an Australian Mine 5.1% excavator dig rate improvement at an Australian Mine 13% reduction in breakdown hours for excavators at a European Mine 72% reduction in breakdown hours for wheel loaders at a European Mine US$400,000+ Fuel savings in a Brazilian Mine 28% reduction in tire replacements saving US$1,500,000 in a Brazilian Mine 99% engine fire pass rate – global average after training

WorksiteVR™ has a relatively low cost of delivery with training environments that can be customized to deal with many worksite training challenges. • High learner retention and recall levels – Learning environment is highly focused, highly memorable and free from distractions. • Multiple learning style compatibility (seeing, hearing, doing) – To cater for various adult learning principles • Safe learning environments – No risk to personnel or property, educate learners in relation to hazards and their potential consequences. • Portability – Transported in a small suitcase sized package.

Cipta Kridatama Talent Development Manager, Gemilang Adi Perdana, said “with commodity prices going down, like many sites, we are looking at ways to cut costs and fuel consumption was identified as problem area. We were over budget by nearly 10,000 liters per month at one site and identified the contributors affecting fuel consumption. Operator skill level was the focus of the fuel efficiency efforts,” Perdana said. Fuel records for 30 haul truck operators were collected over a one month period and 18 of the 30 were over the budgeted liters per hour consumption. All operators were assessed using an Immersive Technologies, Advanced Equipment Simulator to establish a baseline, simulation based training then occurred followed by a reassessment. Once operators passed the reassessment they were put back in the field. After one month operators were assessed again to confirm retention of the new haul truck operating techniques.

Everyday thousands of operators across the world begin their shift by assessing and responding to equipment issues before they begin operations but how can mine sites be sure pre-start inspections are properly completed and that safety, machine uptime and maintenance costs have not been compromised? A new interactive and virtual tool from Immersive Technologies has been launched to ensure effective and consistent training and assessment of operators on machine inspection routines. Early detection of equipment that is unsafe or worn saves on maintenance costs and reduces likelihood of injury, downtime or environmental damage. The new Pre-Start Inspection tool by the world leading mining simulation technology provider, Immersive Technologies, trains and assesses mining personnel on the correct identification and actions to be taken in relation to equipment issues. This tool allows operators to demonstrate competency when real world training is not possible and where mistakes are costly if undetected.

Oversized hang-ups present significant challenges to ore flow for mine operators. MacLean’s comprehensive suite of ore flow solutions starts with Water Cannons as a first line of attack to bring down hang-ups; it progresses to low, medium, and highreach Blockholer drills for persistent hang-ups and secondary breaking; then moves to the Mobile Rockbreaker for fragmenting the oversize at source without blasting. www.macleanengineering.com

A few extra metres per day of advance can represent significant increases in the value of an ore body over a mine’s life, so rapid development isn’t just a buzzword, it’s now a business imperative. www.macleanengineering.com

Making front suspension the standard, not the option: An increasing body of research is linking chronic Whole Body Vibration exposure to musculosketal disorders such as lower back pain, and these disorders are now the leading cause of chronic injury and absenteeism in the Canadian and US workforces. So for a mining industry facing prolonged pricing headwinds, keeping workers healthy and productive isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also essential to surviving the downcycle to prosper on the other side.

Hexagon Mining is the only company to solve surface and underground challenges by integrating design, planning, and operations technologies for safer, more productive mines. With its commitment to shape smart change, Hexagon Mining does not just imagine bridging the gap between short-term planning and operations, connecting eet operations with mine planning, or making analytics and business intelligence holistic and universal - it is making these solutions a reality.

Jmineops is the fleet management software at the heart of the Jigsaw solution. It is the window into your mining operations, providing critical information – all updated in real- time – allowing dispatchers, administrators and maintenance personnel to seamlessly interact with the Jigsaw Jfleet, J2guidance and J3autonomous solutions.

Hexagon Mining is the only company to solve surface and underground challenges by integrating the world's best measurement solutions with proven technologies for planning, operations, and safety. We bring surveying, design, fleet management, production optimization, and collision avoidance together in a life-of-mine solution that connects people and processes. Out customers are safer, more productive, and can make sense of their data.

SHAPING SMART CHANGE FOR THE LIFE OF YOUR MINE Hexagon Mining is the only company to solve surface and underground challenges by integrating design, planning, and operations technologies for safer, more productive mines. By combining the experience, leadership, and expertise of MineSight, Leica Jigsaw, SmartMine UG, and SAFEmine, Hexagon Mining delivers an unprecedented portfolio of technologies.

Senior MineSight Specialist Ernesto Vivas and Luis Zozaya, Chief Engineer, Cobre del Mayo, discuss how the alignment of mine planning with operation has dramatically improved performance at the Piedras Verdes mine.

Alois Geierlehner, Director Business Development Geosystems, explains how Hexagon mine360 is connecting planning, operations, geodetic slope monitoring, surveying, UAV, and radar-based monitoring systems for a holistic view of a mine.

UAS Sales Manager, Bryan Baker, and Mine Planning Specialist, Johnny Lyons-Baral, explain the many advantages of using UAS and point clouds in blast optimization and general mining operations.

Safety Product Line Manager Cyrille Sauvain discusses how Hexagon Mining’s collision avoidance and fatigue monitoring technology is helping mines to respond to the ever-increasing demands for safety.

Episode Description: Hexagon Mining is combining integration and innovation to deliver real-time information that makes mines safer and more productive. EVP Technology and Innovation, Glenn Wylde explains the highlights.

Hexagon Mining is unique among technology providers in integrating solutions for planning, operations, and safety. President Hélio Samora discusses how the company is helping mines to prevail amid tough economic times.

Enrique Sánchez, Asesor Técnico Senior Grupo México, explains how the company has seen unprecedented levels of efficiency and control at its Toquepala mine in Peru by integrating fleet management with mine planning.

EVP Technology and Innovation, Glenn Wylde explains how Hexagon Mining is solving miners’ most complex problems - from autonomous mining to distributed computing - by adopting technology and innovating.

Times may be tough for the mining industry but President Hélio Samora explains how Hexagon Mining’s integrated approach to technology is relieving pressure on customers.

EVP of Technology and Innovation, Glenn Wylde, explains how Hexagon Mining is integrating planning, operations and safety technologies to solve surface and underground challenges.

Mines in the Asia-Pacific region are not alone in seeking more from their operations: more productivity, increased safety and a healthier bottom line. Hexagon Mining is uniquely positioned to solve these challenges in the region, explains Hexagon Mining President Hélio Samora.

African Barrick Gold (ABG) needed help to address rising energy costs and tightening profit margins at its North Mara mine in Tanzania. North Mara is a high-grade open pit gold mine with a life-of-mine estimated at 10 years, and the potential to process 8,000 tonnes of ore per day.

In 2013, Mexico’s Cobre del Mayo (CDM) was attempting to solve common, yet complex issues at its open-pit copper mine in southern Sonora, 21 kilometers from the town of Alamos. CDM produces grade-A copper cathode, supplied as refractory, and vein-type ore for processing into concentrate. The mine is a copper porphyry system, structurally controlled by shear faulting with mineralization stockwork, disseminated and variable depth ranging oxidation.

The Pueblo Viejo gold mine in the Dominican Republic is a joint venture between Barrick Gold and Gold Corp., which hold 60% and 40% ownership respectively. The mine is operated by Barrick Gold and 2013 was the mine’s first full year of production.

Pan American Silver subsidiary, Minera Corner Bay, operates the Alamo Dorado open pit silver mine in Sonora, Mexico. Commercial production began on April 1, 2007. Production from Alamo Dorado generates most of its revenue from silver with the remainder from gold.

The Greens Creek mine, owned and operated by Hecla Mining Co, produces gold, silver, lead and zinc from an underground mining operation on Admiralty Island, Alaska. Employees must travel a 19-kilometer, single-lane access road to access the mine site, which is shared with ore haulage and freight trucks. Hecla sought a simple and robust way to augment its radio call-out procedures to increase driver awareness of approaching traffic and improve safety on the access road.

Teck is Canada’s largest diversified resource company and the number-two exporter of seaborne steelmaking coal worldwide

Effective planning helps maintenance to provide consistently reliable equipment to operations.

Description of essential planning steps: establishing criteria to help determine which work should be planned: discussion of scheduling procedures.

Criteria for planning work; Planning steps; Scheduling procedures.

Kespry Cloud makes it easy for Aggregates companies to measure cut and fill volumes, distances, areas, and perimeters, overlay PDFs and drawings on their maps, make annotations for collaboration, view contours, elevation maps, 3D models, inventory reports and more.

Situation – Today, many maintenance organizations are still not satisfied with the expensive, often complex and difficult to use information systems intended to help them control work. After many years problems still exist that should have been resolved long ago.

Discussion of why many fully-integrated industrial information systems fail to effectively support maintenance work control needs.

Maintenance supervisors have difficulty using work order system elements forcing them to use inadequate work control methods that provide neither control nor data required to develop essential information.

Information system elements are inadequate for some aspects of maintenance work control. But, maintenance organizations who have failed to define their programs and specify information needs have contributed to this problem.

A quality mine maintenance program is the best assurance that the 35% of operating costs typically spent on maintenance yields consistently reliable production equipment upon which mine performance depends. The accompanying Powerpoint presentation: Implementing the Plant/Mine Maintenance Management Program (93 slides) is provided as a professional courtesy to help evaluate your existing program or develop, document and implement a similar program. Additional Powerpoint presentations are available. A listing appears at the end of the presentation.

Part 4 – Information Systems and Maintenance Work Control - Parts 1, 2 and 3 of this series established that many existing fully-integrated information systems do not provide adequate support of supervisor’s maintenance work control needs. Work order elements are too complex and time consuming for use in the ‘pressure-cooker’ working environment of maintenance supervisors. As a result many supervisors are using ineffective work control procedures that neither control work nor provide field data for required information. In turn, maintenance planners are compelled to prepare ‘official’ work order documents to capture missing data. Many planners are simply ‘work order administrators’ with no time left to plan. When management requires information, these planners may be ‘creating’ bogus information misleading management decision-makers. Since not all work requires planning, a simpler work order element for supervisors can meet their work control needs and also allow them to control all non-planned work. Information system problems are acknowledged by system developers but without being corrected. However, many maintenance organizations have contributed by not developing a well-defined maintenance programs and specifying their information needs. Instead, they have accepted and tried to use the generic information output of overly complex package systems. This ‘log jam’ requires corrective actions. An outstanding PC-based system that satisfies the supervisors work control requirements, returns planners to their full time planning tasks and creates essential information has been identified. The system developer’s introductory presentation was obtained and is attached.

The maintenance workload is the identification of the essential work carried out by maintenance. When properly identified it avoids confusion by clarifying the nature of required work and, most importantly, provides a direct means of establishing the correct size and craft composition of the workforce required to carry it out.

Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) is one of the most effective ways to improve the impact of preventive maintenance. While traditional preventive maintenance can avoid some premature failures, RCM adds advanced condition monitoring technologies to identify potential failures far more quickly and accurately while concurrently identifying root causes to eliminate or reduce their impact. A series of 6 phases examines the implementation of Reliability Centered Maintenance.

Part 2 provides an outline of the eight (8) steps recommended for the implementation of Reliability Centered Maintenance.

When mining maintenance requires improvement an evaluation is the essential first step of the improvement effort and a guarantee of its success. The evaluation avoids guessing at what needs to be improved, how and the priorities of corrective actions. The result is a realistic plan of action instead of confusion, frustration, disappointment and no improvement. Here’s how to get started.

Part 3 of Implementing RCM discusses Identifying Critical Equipment; Reliability and identification of failure patterns and Responses to general failure patterns.

Reliability Centered Maintenance identifies and applies maintenance responses to specific types of failures.

Updating the PM Program - RCM implementation will alter the nature of the PM program by changing the ‘detection’ processes. Inspections conducted on time-based intervals, for example, might give way to condition-based monitoring. Some time-based services might be supplemented with condition-based monitoring and some equipment might be subjected to redesign to better meet new requirements for reliability. Still other equipment especially of a non-critical nature might be allowed to run to failure. Explore these significant and worthwhile benefits.

Part 6 – Implementing Reliability Centered Maintenance describes the repair history capability and the use of analytical tools to support RCM implementation and ooperation.

The diversity of mining operations, experiences of personnel and numerous other factors may preclude standardizing mining maintenance terminology. However, a clarification of maintenance actions and procedures can improve common understanding and communication among all who perform maintenance, support it or depend on its effectiveness. Toward those objectives the following Mining Maintenance Terminology definitions are offered for your consideration. Any feedback can be incorporated into a revised document for subsequent publication. Contact: [email protected].

My 'best effort' at listing maintenance terminology was posted a few days ago. So far lots of 'views' and 'downloads' but very little 'feed back.' Let's take a second look and make this a document that proves mining maintenance really knows what we are talking about. Your input will be incorporated into a revised document for subsequent publication.

The primary purpose of posting Maintenance Terminology was to solicit feedback adding, modifying or removing the definitions listed. So far there have been numerous views and downloads and only one offer to add a definition. My 'best effort' at listing these definitions of common mining maintenance terminology warrants a closer look and some feedback. It seems important that mining maintenance establish that 'we do know what we are talking about.' And more importantly we inform those who rely on maintenance to know as well. Feedback to: [email protected]. A subsequent listing will incorporate your additions or modifications.

Drawing on a long history and solid foundation of shovel knowledge, Caterpillar is taking hydraulic shovels to even higher levels of performance. With new technologies, precise engineering and rock-solid construction, the latest generation of Cat® shovels deliver unprecedented levels of productivity and efficiency.

Today, mining companies are on the lookout for opportunities to improve productivity and ef ciency in every aspect of mine site operations. Here are three ways Cat® Terrain technologies have helped mining customers improve the productivity of machines, processes and people.

The productivity of your mine site hinges on the ef ciency of your load/haul system. Here are six ways Cat® MineStarTM technologies—including Cat Fleet and Cat Terrain for loading—can help you make sure that every truck gets loaded with the optimum tonnage, hauls it to the right place and works ef ciently all shift long.

Fatigue is a hidden hazard that affects most mine sites. Fight fatigue with this multi level approach. Get in-depth details on operator safety features of Cat Detect with this whitepaper.

What kind of work does maintenance perform and how is it controlled?

UNDERSTANDING THE BACKLOG - It is not . . . “the work we ain’t done yet” . . . as many think. Rather, it is a valuable management tool enabling workforce size and craft composition to be determined and labor more effectively managed.

Setting Maintenance Work Priorities - By setting maintenance work priorities, the relative importance of a single job in relationship to other jobs, operational needs, safety or equipment condition is established and a time period is assigned within which the work should be completed.

Although many mines and processing plants have sophisticated maintenance cost information systems, cost control relies ultimately on management actions based on the information such systems generate. A systematic management approach to solving problems and implementing solutions is the key to effective maintenance cost control

Determination of equipment availability levels to meet production targets is strongly influenced by the quality of maintenance support. But for maintenance to deliver reliable equipment and operations to meet production targets, mutual understanding of the elements that impact availability is essential. Comments on the illustration are most welcome.

Addition of nano-sized WS2 additives to oil enhances the performance of the oil, reduces metal wear and increases productivity of engines and hydraulic equipment. Fleet trials have shown the product's value in a range of engines in different vehicle sizes.

As a fledgling democracy in a resource-rich nation, stability and continuity is important for the future development of Mongolia. Techenomics Mongolia is one of a number of mining technology companies playing a part in Mongolia's ongoing growth.

A trial of the use of nano-sized WS2 oil additives in various fleet vehicles operated by a council in a mining area of regional New South Wales, Australia, has demonstrated considerable cost savings for the council and important environmental benefits. The trial showed that the additives increase the life of the oil, and its performance, thereby boosting productivity and reducing maintenance costs. The additives reduce friction and limit metal wear. They are reduce the production of harmful emissions, thus reducing the council's environmental footprint.

These recommended duties and responsibilities of key maintenance personnel provide guidelines for efficient maintenance interactions and interdepartmental cooperation that can enhance the overall maintenance performance,

Con demasiada frecuencia, las compañías de recursos naturales ponen en marcha plantas nuevas sin contar con un equipo de operaciones y mantenimiento debidamente capacitado. El resultado puede ser desastroso tanto en términos de seguridad como de ingresos. Obviamente el objetivo fundamental es una planta que funciona de forma segura y rentable. En la mayoría de los casos, la capacitación sobre seguridad que se da antes del arranque de la planta es satisfactoria, resultando en pocos accidentes (o ninguno) durante la puesta en marcha y operaciones subsecuentes. Sin embargo, muchas plantas son negligentes cuando se trata de la buena capacitación de su personal de operaciones y mantenimiento. Un programa de capacitación bien ejecutado compensa con creces los costos de ejecución del mismo. Si se va a presupuestar una ingeniería de alta calidad, un proceso de adquisición eficiente y una gestión de construcción experimentada y comprobada (incluyendo el comisionamiento), ¿por qué dejar a la suerte la capacitación? Performance Associates International (PAI) desarrolló un programa de capacitación por computadora comprensivo, el cual abarca operaciones y mantenimiento, para su planta de oro El Limón-Guajes en el estado de Guerrero, México. En el 2015, los especialistas de capacitación industrial de PAI viajaron al lugar del proyecto para entrenar a los empleados de Torex Gold en anticipación de la puesta de marcha de la planta y la producción de oro. El emprendimiento fue un “éxito masivo,” según Nelson Bodnarchuk, Director, Sistemas Operacionales. Este video cuenta la historia de ese éxito, incluyendo comentarios generosos de los oficiales ejecutivos de Torex, quienes reconocen nuestro papel en la colaboración.

For more than 122 years, Whitmore has been providing high quality performance products to industry. We continue to set the protection standard for the lubrication and reliability industries in the most adverse conditions and demanding environments. Whitmore is a leading provider of innovative products and services which increase the reliability, performance and lifespan of industrial assets. We manufacture reliability products, high performance lubricants, friction modifiers, rail lubrication equipment, lubrication management systems and cleaners designed to meet the specific needs of each industry and application.

Learn how Peckham Industries uses the Kespry Automated Drone System to measure stockpiles. Before discovering Kespry, surveys were done once a year at a handful of locations. Today, they can measure stockpiles whenever they’d like and as often as they’d like.

Simulation based operator training has been successfully applied to a range of diverse industries where high risk and high costs are everyday issues requiring smart solutions. Whether piloting a plane or launching a space shuttle, simulation training has been proven to dramatically reduce risk, cost, unscheduled maintenance, increase trainer effectiveness and efficiency while maximizing productivity. Within the often hazardous mining industry, simulation training has quickly gained recognition as a significant method of increasing site safety and profitability through improved operator skill and knowledge. Simulators provide operators a safe environment to learn and practice their skills while allowing the operator to practice for a range of possible emergency situations. Many of these situations are too dangerous, too difficult or too expensive to test in an actual mine. Operators can also be shown and assessed for the proper operating technique much more quickly and accurately than the traditional in machine approach. Focus on improving operator technique with Immersive Technologies’ simulators has delivered proven results including longer tire life, reduced spot time, reduced brake abuse, improvements in fuel use, reduction in engine overspeeds and more. Simulator training allows operators to be shown and assessed without the need to borrow machines from production. This allows new operators to practice many skills before being placed into a production circuit. Because operators are consistently shown and assessed on the proper operator techniques they have a better understanding and knowledge of the real machine. Following Immersive Technologies release of the world’s first mining dump truck simulator in 1998, their customer results, support network, machine range, global mining footprint, level of realism and OEM endorsements are without equal in the industry. Highlighting the benefits of simulation training, four leading Original Equipment Manufacturers, Caterpillar, Hitachi, Komatsu and Liebherr have chosen to exclusively sign technical information licensing agreements with Immersive Technologies, providing access to proprietary technical information necessary to accurately replicate the operation of their mining equipment. After significant supplier evaluation each major OEM has chosen to exclusively recommend Immersive Technologies' Advanced Equipment Simulators. This unprecedented support and commitment from the OEM's has helped to firmly entrench Immersive Technologies' Simulator technology as the industry leader. This provides customers the comfort of knowing they are investing wisely in a proven and accepted technology that is here to stay. As the world’s largest supplier of mining equipment simulators, Immersive Technologies’ has a customer base that includes many of the world’s leading mining operations, mining contractors, training schools and original equipment manufacturers. Widely recognized as the global industry standard, Immersive Technologies’ has extensive experience in delivering complete training solutions to the mining industry with measurable safety and business improvement outcomes. Immersive Technologies has worked closely with thousands of mining training professionals, managers, and executives to deliver comprehensive solutions that have been proven to improve safety and mine profitability.

Optimisation and productivity are buzz words in mining at present and they also apply to maintenance. In order to have sustainable mining operations, it is important that due attention is given to optimising maintenance, which Techenomics does with its oil analysis, condition monitoring and fluid management services, complemented by the tungsten disulphide additives it distributes.

Any maintenance improvement effort should be initiated with an evaluation to identify and prioritize essential improvement needs. Comparing current performance against proven standards is an effective means of evaluating to establishing a realistic improvement plan and guide the improvement effort.

There are no world class maintenance organizations. Rather, there are ‘world class’ mining organizations that include a world class maintenance organization. Maintenance, by itself, is a service-provider. When that service is exceptional, it is made that way because maintenance is operating in a mining environment that requires it to be exceptional. Mining managers will have created a working environment in which maintenance can be exceptional. They have caused operations to accept responsibility for the effect utilization of maintenance services and staff departments like warehousing or purchasing to provide exceptional service because it is expected of them. World class status is only achieved when there is a total operation effort.

With a dizzying array of letters, numbers, markings and ratings, purchasing new construction or mining tires can be a challenge. But there are definite benefits to learning the terminologies as tire styles can differ greatly, and so can their intended uses. Familiarizing yourself with the tire codes and acronyms to make an informed decision will ultimately lead to increased productivity and longevity of your tires. Learn more in our Tire Codes 101 white paper.

Successful implementation of Reliability centered maintenance (RCM) creates circumstances that sharply increase the equipment problem detection capabilities of preventive maintenance. In turn, gains in the ability to plan more work help maintenance to deliver consistently reliable production equipment for its mining operation.

FLEET ELECTRIFICATION THAT CONNECTS THE MINING CYCLE TO THE BATTERY CYCLE: The MacLean approach to battery propulsion is built on giving our customers access to best-in-class battery, electric motor, onboard charging, and vehicle analytics technology, and then successfully integrating these components into mobile underground equipment by leveraging our multi-discipline engineering expertise, hard rock mining knowledge, and custom manufacturing experience. In other words, you can’t just understand the battery cycle, you need to understand the mining cycle in which it will be used. This is how MacLean has developed battery power, engineered for life underground.

As construction equipment has grown in the last couple decades — in size, power, weight and speed — so too has the need for off-the-road tires that can keep up with the increased demand. As such, a tire market that was comprised of 100 percent bias designs only a couple decades ago has now moved primarily to radial for larger earthmoving equipment. While radial technology outperforms bias in many instances (justifying the increased cost), bias tires, when used in the proper application, can provide significant cost savings and performance benefits over radial — proving the latest isn’t always the greatest.

The A60H, the new 60-ton articulated hauler from Volvo, opens increased production opportunities and cost savings potential. The 673-horsepower (502 kW) Volvo D16J engine offers ample power, and the active hydraulic front suspension, hydro-mechanical steering and high ground clearance at the articulation joint allow for easy navigation of tough terrain. A range of new features come standard, such as Hill Assist, a dump support system, on-board weighing and serviceability improvements.

The new 75-ton EC750E excavator from Volvo boasts significant improvements to power, productivity and efficiency compared to its predecessor. It is equipped with the Volvo D16J 516-horsepower (392 kW), Tier 4 Final engine, providing an 11 percent increase in horsepower and 7 percent increase in digging force. Its 5 percent gain in fuel efficiency enables higher production at a lower cost per ton. A 4 percent boost in hydraulic flow is made possible by its new electro-hydraulic control system that reduces loss of flow and pressure for increased production.

Is bigger always better? When it comes to articulated haulers, the industry certainly seems to be moving in that direction. While capacity increases can boost production numbers, and ultimately reduce cost per ton, there are many more factors at play that must be evaluated by a fleet manager to ensure the site can reap the rewards of a larger machine. Learn how site simulation and telematics can help you determine the ideal size hauler fleet for your aggregate site.

Site simulation, Volvo articulated haulers and excavators, and flexible financing from Volvo Financial Services play a pivotal role in a family-owned garnet mining business.

Education – A Counterbalance to the Mining Maintenance Challenge. The already difficult circumstances of mining maintenance are compounded by remote locations, indigenous workforces, recruitment of management personnel and a whole range of difficulties, some unexpected. Many of these adverse circumstances can be offset by educating the mining workforce on how they can help to make maintenance more effective. Please see the Mining Maintenance Management Course.

Titan is the only company with the ability to design, test and produce both wheels and tires for OTR markets. For a complete lineup of Titan's OTR styles and sizes, download the databook now.

The maintenance supervisor holds the most difficult job in mining. Don’t think so? Then consider his daily situation.

Consider the impact these five educational steps could have to help improve maintenance performance. Initially, clarify internal maintenance actions. Then specify help needed from other departments. Finally, secure the dedicated overall direction from mine management in a mine-wide coordinated maintenance effort

Solving the Mystery of Improving Maintenance Maintenance often represents over 35% of total mine operating costs. Yet, little is known by the general mining population of the details of what maintenance does, how they do it and the help, support and cooperation they require. Many see maintenance as a ‘closed book.’ Herein are both the problem and the solution. Maintenance has done little to explain what they do, how they do it and specify the help that they need.

Establishing a strategic tire management plan is crucial for companies with large fleets of equipment. Each machine requires a unique tire replacement schedule, and managers who develop a tire buying and maintenance strategy are ultimately more productive than managers who wait until a problem occurs. Throughout the life span of a piece of equipment, tires need to be replaced more frequently than any other component, and as such, their efficient life cycle management offers arguably the greatest opportunity to control costs. With a well-informed and well-defined tire maintenance and replacement strategy in place, a fleet manager can proactively manage these valuable equipment assets, while reducing the costs associated with unplanned downtime. Here are five steps to help you create and implement a successful tire management plan.

Mining is unique among all industries as are the challenges of maintaining its equipment. Successful maintenance will require fully-coordinated help from all departments and knowledgeable, dedicated management oversight. Effective training can help to meet these requirements. Un fortunately, public seminars on maintenance management are seldom mining-specific and are usually generic. Little that is useful can be learned from these generalizations or from non-mining attendees. Attendance fees and travel expenses can be prohibitive. Attendance from remote mining locations is seldom possible. These remote workforces can include local recruits unfamiliar with mining and are often staffed with ex-pats with widely diverse backgrounds and experiences. Training can enable them to perform consistently as a reliable team. All of these training needs can be met by the Mining Maintenance Management Course specifically designed for on-site training conducted by your own personnel.

Establishing a strategic tire management plan is crucial for companies with large fleets of equipment. Each machine requires a unique tire replacement schedule, and managers who develop a tire buying and maintenance strategy are ultimately more productive than managers who wait until a problem occurs. Throughout the life span of a piece of equipment, tires need to be replaced more frequently than any other component, and as such, their efficient life cycle management offers arguably the greatest opportunity to control costs. With a well-informed and well-defined tire maintenance and replacement strategy in place, a fleet manager can proactively manage these valuable equipment assets, while reducing the costs associated with unplanned downtime. Here are five steps to help you create and implement a successful tire management plan.

No Maintenance Program – Major Omission Attention Mine Managers – If maintenance does not have a program parallel to the one described in this article, don’t expect them to be able to deliver consistently reliable production equipment. Here is how to correct that situation. See an important notice at the end of the article.

The drivers pushing mining companies to seriously look at the EV transition encompass a broad range of benefits – reduced ventilation requirements (30-50% less) and associated energy costs, elimination of diesel fuel costs (tens of thousands of dollars per EV unit, per year), reduced maintenance costs (some 25% fewer parts on EV propulsion vs. diesel propulsion rigs), elimination of diesel fine particular matter in the underground environment, and last but definitely not least - less noise, vibration and heat for miners operating the equipment underground. So how do you quantify the operational savings?

A maintenance program that prescribes who does what, how when and why is the primary necessity for effective maintenance. Without it you are wasting your time. Here's the proof.

Maintenance Planning Essentials Please review the PowerPoint presentation to learn the essential, proven planning techniques that ensure the significant benefits of well-planned work are achieved. Note especially the illustrative diagrams, informative captions and the detailed instructor’s notes that ensure effective training.

The mining operation that understands who does what about performing or supporting maintenance, how, when and why can meet the objective of providing consistently reliable production equpment. A well informed workforce confident in all aspects of achieving effective maintenance guarantees this reality. The reality is the development, documentation, implementation and operation of a proven mine maintenance management program.

Maintenance in Transition – The Journey to World Class Maintenance is the classic text book on every phase of maintenance management.

Learn what World Class mining organizations do to make maintenance planning more efficient, deliver reliable production equipment, reduce cost and help ensure mine profitability. Implementation of these 10 actions can have a direct, positive impact on maximizing maintenance performance. A must read for all mining and maintenance managers whose objectives include improving maintenance.

The utilization of professional training materials in the conduct of on-site maintenance management training has many advantages. Training can accommodate the availability of key personnel to avoid conflicts with operating schedules. As many personnel as necessary can be trained, singly or in logical organizational groups. Personnel from several departments can be trained together to clarify interdepartmental roles and actions. Presentations can be repeated for new personnel or those assigned new responsibilities. Individuals can train themselves. Training needs at remote mining locations are met avoiding expensive attendance fees and travel expenses to distant venues. Training solutions and recommendations are based on actual, realistic and proven situations unique and directly applicable to the mining industry.

Enterprises everywhere are using drone technology to increase their bottom line and get an edge over the competition. If you’ve been thinking about implementing drone technology but don’t know where to start, you’re not alone - understanding all of the elements of a drone program can be complicated. Here are 5 steps for getting started.

Little differences in quality can make a big impact when it comes to machine durability. See how two models of Volvo excavators compare to the competition.

When compared to two industry-leading competitors, the Volvo EC350E and EC380E excavators far exceed the safety and productivity features of the other brands. See how.

Browse the directory for Haulage & Loading 2017. This includes complete exhibitor list and contact information along with the technical program for the conference.

Today’s fleet manager is empowered to make incredibly informed decisions based on real site data. Fleet management software can calculate optimized haul routes. Site simulation software can ensure the equipment fleet is perfectly suited to the operation and its production goals. Telematics software helps predict and plan for service, track locations for better fleet utilization and even helps identify needs for operator training. With all this data at a fleet manager’s fingertips, there is enormous potential to positively impact the operation’s bottom line. All too often, however, a critical part of the equation is left inadequately monitored and tracked — tires.

A maintenance organization was found to be planning only 21% of all work. Study revealed that most equipment deficiencies were being discovered just before failure. Major jobs that required detailed planning were being attempted as unplanned work. As such, they cost too much, took much longer to complete, were hurried and often failed again prematurely. How was this situation corrected?

I have attached a PowerPoint (PPT) presentation on how to implementing a Mine Maintenance Management Program. But before you study it please understand that superior maintenance performance is built on three conditions: 1 - Maintenance proficiency – Maintenance personnel from manager to worker are proficient in all aspects of management, control and work execution. 2 - Knowledgeable support – All mining departments understand the help needed to make maintenance successful and provide it. 3 - Strategic direction – Mine managers assign mutually–supporting departmental objectives, provide policies to guide interdepartmental actions and verify performance. The one proven answer that meets these conditions is a quality maintenance program. That program must spell out who does what, how, when and why. These guidelines must be applied to the nine essential maintenance management phases: How to (1) Request or (2) Identify work, (3) Classify it to determine the best reaction, then how to (4) Plan, (5) Schedule, (6) Assign, (7) Control and (8) Measure the resulting work and finally, (9) Assess accomplishments against goals such as performance standards and budgets. All personnel in maintenance as well as those who interact with maintenance must be included in the program since every maintenance action requires a supporting or cooperative interdepartmental reaction. Just as the maintenance planner follows specific planning procedures, so must the purchasing agent who orders major component replacements for the job the planner is organizing. After 44 years as a mining maintenance management consulting in all types of mining operations, I can confidently state that the absence of a quality program will preclude meeting these three conditions and frustrate all efforts to achieve superior maintenance performance.

Maintenance in Transition - The Journey to World Class Maintenance - This 385-page textbook of 32 chapters and 5 appendices is an action plan for achieving World Class status.

Mining Maintenance Management Course - The Course includes 22 essential maintenance management topics presented in a logical, straightforward PowerPoint format. Strategies, techniques, methodologies, technologies and procedures are accompanied by step-by-step instructions, illustrations, case studies and detailed instructor’s notes.

Download PowerPoint instructions - How to Implement a Maintenance program.

Learn how quick-change technology such as the Titan Accelerated Change Technology (ACT) Wheel System can help you reduce downtime associated with tire changes or rotations by up to 50 percent. Consisting of a two-piece lock ring, the quick-change technologies release the inner tire assembly from the wheel while the outer wheels stays mounted to the truck, eliminating the need to torque and re-torque.

When non-maintenance work, like construction, is attempted by a maintenance workforce not staffed and prepared to do so, major problems of cost, workforce utilization and performance often occur. Here is how to avoid them.

The Elusive Qwest for World Class Maintenance - ‘Seat of the Pants’ Maintenance Isn’t Good Enough - A major deficiency of too many mining operations and the explanation of most maintenance problems is no program. As a result, maintenance personnel who are to carry it out or support it (like purchasing, warehousing and operations) are confused and uncertain about how to help. Mine managers are frustrated and impatient, expecting that maintenance should, by now, know what they are supposed to do and how. Too many assumptions have been made starting with the mine manager who should have said, "I want a logical, well-defined program about maintenance that fits our operating plan and I want all mine personnel to understand it, support it and make it work." To those mining operations and their maintenance departments who insist they know what to do, have them prove it with a well-documented program. Many can’t.

Learn how our unique Titan LDR150 58/80R63 radial mining tire was specially built for Cat 994H high-lift models to improve machine stability and breakout force. Working at the face, these tires lasted up to 23,000 hours when tested at a British Columbia coal mine. That's 27 percent longer than the competitor's longest-lasting 53.5/85-57 bias tire.

ActiveCare Direct monthly reports provide insights on idle percentages versus work percentages across your entire fleet, by individual machine and by machine type. This allows you to easily compare utilization by operator and machine, as well as set goals for increased utilization over time. Doing so can have an immense impact on your fleet’s profitability.

Using insights and alerts gained through ActiveCare Direct monthly reports allows for operator training that will help avoid five common instances of machine misuse, saving thousands of dollars in machine repair costs down the road.

Here are some of the maintenance planning/scheduling questions that require resolution if this activity is to be carried out efficiently.

Significant work control problems are needlessly created when there are no criteria for determining which maintenance work requires planning.

Determine production utilization required to determine minimum equipment availability. Comments welcome.

How to Utilize Maintenance Planners Effectively Don’t waste this valuable resource Paul D. Tomlingson A Key Player - Maintenance planners are utilized in larger organizations where there is considerable major work requiring detailed and advance preparation before the work can be scheduled. Smaller organizations still have a need for planning but, the task is often carried out by supervisors or team members. For those organizations using planners, it is important to establish what the planner should do, how it is done and what tools are required to do it well.

A new era of underground mining is underway. BEV (battery electric vehicle) propulsion on mobile fleets means less energy required for ventilation and less additional heat generated as mines go deeper. It means a working environment free from diesel fine particulate matter. And it means reduced planned maintenance requirements and total cost of ownership for high-tramming utility vehicles like the MacLean EV Series BT3 Boom Truck. MacLean connected the battery cycle to the mining cycle by engineering the integration of best-in-class electric drive components from around the world to deliver a BEV solution that is safe, proven and data-rich. Battery electric power, built for life underground.

Establishing criteria for determining which maintenance work requires planning can improve work control efficiency.

Ramp trials of the MacLean BT3 battery electric boom truck in Canada - Switching out diesel fuel for battery electricity on mobile equipment in underground mining is as much of a user experience exercise as it is an engineering exercise.

Sometimes a turning point can only be seen clearly in hindsight. Such is the case for the mine of the future as we begin 2018, coming out of a 2017 where major mining companies continued to demonstrate capital spending austerity and focus on debt reduction. All the while, there were growing signals that digitalization, electrification and automation were all gaining momentum, even though actual examples of minesite implementations could as of yet, still be counted on one hand. MacLean took the opportunity that industry downturn presented over the past several years to focus intensely on three key product development ventures – first and foremost, the battery electrification of our entire fleet, which will be complete by the end of 2018; second, the successful introduction of face bolting as a feature on our 975 Omnia bolter; and, third, the launch of the latest addition to our utility vehicle product line – the LR3 Boom Lift for heavy load and high reach applications. The past year was one where for the first time we had a fleet of battery electric vehicles working underground, allowing us the ability to validate our performance and total cost of ownership (TCO) models with real-world data, while at the same time continuing to build out our EV offer across the product lines. Looking forward, as we work hard to fully electrify our fleet of ground support, ore flow/secondary reduction, and utility vehicles, we’re keenly aware that electrification is but one step in the ongoing mechanization of underground mining, a transition to the mine of the future that will be increasingly efficient through digitalization and automation that will increase production and reduce costs.

This maintenance management course is unique to the mining industry. Its objective is to improve maintenance through the education of personnel at all levels of the mining organization. It represents over 40 years of direct, world-wide mining maintenance consulting experiences to provide proven, useful and practical improvement guidelines. Topics are logically arranged and emphasize the interdependence of maintenance actions, essential interdepartmental coordination and knowledgeable management guidance. The accompanying textbook reinforces the course and stands alone as a classic source on mining maintenance management to guide achievement of World-Class status. Inquires: [email protected]. Paul D. Tomlingson, Mining Maintenance Consultant Denver, Colorado USA Member, Society of Mining, Metallurgy ad Exploration (SME)

One of the easiest ways to ensure that each job you bid is accurate and profitable is to do the work up front. You may have spent years at this point becoming a bidding expert; you know how long it will take to complete a job and how many machine and operator hours — but what if it could be easier and even more accurate? Using telematics, and ActiveCare Direct from Volvo in particular, can be a useful job bidding tool.

Data overload is a problem that many business owners and fleet managers fear when it comes to telematics adoption. There is only so much time in a day, and unfortunately, working to analyze the mountains of data that telematics provides is not something many have the time or expertise to manage effectively. ActiveCare Direct, the 24/7/365 telematics monitoring solution from Volvo helps take the added work out of using telematics data to improve your business.

ActiveCare Direct is the 24/7/365 telematics solution offered directly from Volvo. At the Volvo Uptime Center, thousands of data points from machines are delivered and sorted through using a proprietary system which removes all the guesswork for customers. As telematics solutions become more common, it may be a challenge to see how any program differs from the next.

Are you using telematics beyond scheduling service intervals? Many business owners find it challenging to find the time and resources to use telematics beyond its basic functionality. With ActiveCare Direct, the 24/7/365 telematics monitoring service offered directly from Volvo, you can add an entire team of experts to your fleet from the Volvo Uptime Center and your dealership. With the additional support and the monthly fleet utilization reports you receive, it is easy to use telematics to its full potential, setting goals and business decisions that will keep your business more profitable in the long run.

Wheel maintenance often takes a back seat to tire maintenance, but should be considered equally as important. A set of tires is only as good as the wheel assembly on which it’s safely mounted, and one should never be tempted to mix and match components or guess if something will fit correctly. Without the proper wheel and components, not only are the wheels and tires put at risk — so is the safety of the operator. Download our white paper to learn five tips on enhancing wheel and tire safety, as well as machine uptime — saving you time and money in the long run.

Join AirGon staff for closer look into our proven drone mapping workflow. Over the course of 1,000+ successful drone mapping missions, we have perfected our workflow to achieve accurate results in a timely manner. With the addition of our Post-Processing Kinematic direct geopositioning system, Loki, we are able to alleviate the need for dense ground control and cut field time down tremendously without sacrificing accuracy. In this webinar, we will present an overview of the entire AirGon workflow from mission planning to hosting your data and the products we use to power our process. Click download to view the webinar.

We put our Titan Accelerated Change Technology (ACT) wheel in a head-to-head test against a standard wheel on a rigid dump truck in an Alabama mine. Watch to see the results for which wheel increased cost savings and productivity.

Volvo CareTrack is the telematics system that collects machine information, alerts the customer with alarm codes and provides an online portal for customers to dig deeper into fleet data. Volvo also offers ActiveCare Direct (ACD) — a 24/7/365 machine monitoring and monthly fleet utilization reporting service that relies on CareTrack data. But it’s managed by Volvo on behalf of the customer — helping ease the burden of telematics management, while enhancing remote diagnosis and catching problems before they occur. Each tool is valuable in its own right and can be used independently or in conjunction with each other — depending on customer preference. Here are a few of the differentiators between the two services and their benefits.

Planners are most effective when they plan the right work. Here are some recommendations for determining which work should be planned in your organization.

Planning and scheduling maintenance work should follow specific procedures. Here are some suggested guidelines.

MAKING EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT DECISIONS - The decision to replace production equipment as it nears the end of its life-cycle is both an economic and a performance decision. Economics are involved in the identification and procurement of the best equipment for the capital outlay constraints involved. Performance considerations are important in selecting the best equipment for the job. Chapter from Maintenance in Transition - The Journey to World Class Maintenance

There’s some good, solid news for the construction industry: Dodge Data & Analytics Index projects that we’ll have “moderate strengthening” through the end of 2018. But in terms of productivity, we appear to be heading in a different direction. Of note, a recent survey of 600 global construction leaders* compiled by PlanGrid and FMI Corporation mentions: ·        •Poor communication, rework and bad data management cost the construction industry; $177 billion annually in labor costs in the United States alone.        •Construction workers lose almost two full working days per week solving avoidable issues and searching for project information. ·       • Each construction project team member spends more than 14 hours weekly on average dealing with conflict, rework and other issues. ·         •Almost half of all rework is due to poor communication among project stakeholders, and poor project information, while 26% of rework is due to poor communication or miscommunication between team members caused unresponsiveness of team members; the inability of project stakeholders to collaborate effectively; and the lack of a common platform for all team members to communicate and share project data. ·        •The most common goals for technology adoption included providing better access to project data, improving project productivity and increasing the accuracy of project information. ·        •Workers are not taking full advantage of mobile devices and IT investments.      Stamp Out Non-Productive Driver and Fleet Time for Big Productivity Gains It stands to reason that companies who address productivity issues will not only avoid scrambling for information and wasted hours and energy but also quickly gain competitive advantage. If you’re managing drivers and trucks that wheel in and out of numerous sites during the day or week and aren’t using automatic processes via technology to more efficiently track and manage your fleet, there’s more good news. You can increase driver productivity and avoid the 20-40 minutes per truck per day that’s lost through clocking in and out and other non-productive activities during: ·         •Time in Transit ·         •Time at the Job Site ·         •Time in the Yard Forty minutes per day, per truck may seem marginal at first glance. But 200 minutes/week x 48 weeks/ year = 9,600 minutes, 160 hours or a total of 4,000 hours of inefficiency for a fleet of 25 trucks. Time in the yard is the lever most within a producer’s control and represents over half of the total nonproductive time per truck. So, rather than simply adding incremental trucks and drivers to the fleet to boost productivity (which unfortunately only adds to the total non‐productive hours and fails to improve operational processes), consider a solution that: ·         •Uses automatic processes via technology to more efficiently track and manage your fleet. ·         •Enables your drivers to punch the clock from in the cab, an efficiency enhancer that alone could save you up to 20 minutes per day (this is time spent in your own yard, under your own watch, that you can act on quickly to recapture those minutes, regardless of what happens away from your yard). ·         •Captures a meaningful portion of that lost time from each driver. ·         •Provides a constant view into the location and performance of your entire fleet. ·        •Is adaptable and helps your teams collaborate in real-time with a “central source of truth” and access to relevant data when you need it. At least 50% of employees’ non‐productive time can be captured back efficiently and effectively when the right combinations of levers are pulled – both in terms of area of focus (i.e., time in yard) and adaptability to each individual customer’s business process requirements. This equates to big productivity increases over both the short- and long-term. Learn more about how Command Alkon’s TrackIt solution offers an industry specific, flexible and fully customizable solution to track your fleet and meet your specific needs, including in-cab time and attendance functionality focused at recapturing lost time in the yard, helping you drive a more efficient fleet and improve your profitability. *500 respondents from the United States and 99 from Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Canada. Of those surveyed, 49% work for general contractor firms, 36% came from specialty trades and 15% were owners. Over 300 respondents came from the commercial sector and the other respondents represent industrial and manufacturing, heavy civil, healthcare, power (oil and gas, and energy), education and government.

There’s some good, solid news for the construction industry: Dodge Data & Analytics Index projects that we’ll have “moderate strengthening” through the end of 2018. But in terms of productivity, we appear to be heading in a different direction. Of note, a recent survey of 600 global construction leaders* compiled by PlanGrid and FMI Corporation mentions: ·         Poor communication, rework and bad data management cost the construction industry; $177 billion annually in labor costs in the United States alone. ·         Construction workers lose almost two full working days per week solving avoidable issues and searching for project information. ·         Each construction project team member spends more than 14 hours weekly on average dealing with conflict, rework and other issues. ·         Almost half of all rework is due to poor communication among project stakeholders, and poor project information, while 26% of rework is due to poor communication or miscommunication between team members caused unresponsiveness of team members; the inability of project stakeholders to collaborate effectively; and the lack of a common platform for all team members to communicate and share project data. ·         The most common goals for technology adoption included providing better access to project data, improving project productivity and increasing the accuracy of project information. ·         Workers are not taking full advantage of mobile devices and IT investments. Stamp Out Non-Productive Driver and Fleet Time for Big Productivity Gains It stands to reason that companies who address productivity issues will not only avoid scrambling for information and wasted hours and energy but also quickly gain competitive advantage. If you’re managing drivers and trucks that wheel in and out of numerous sites during the day or week and aren’t using automatic processes via technology to more efficiently track and manage your fleet, there’s more good news. You can increase driver productivity and avoid the 20-40 minutes per truck per day that’s lost through clocking in and out and other non-productive activities during: ·         Time in Transit ·         Time at the Job Site ·         Time in the Yard Forty minutes per day, per truck may seem marginal at first glance. But 200 minutes/week x 48 weeks/ year = 9,600 minutes, 160 hours or a total of 4,000 hours of inefficiency for a fleet of 25 trucks. Time in the yard is the lever most within a producer’s control and represents over half of the total nonproductive time per truck. So, rather than simply adding incremental trucks and drivers to the fleet to boost productivity (which unfortunately only adds to the total non‐productive hours and fails to improve operational processes), consider a solution that: ·         Uses automatic processes via technology to more efficiently track and manage your fleet. ·         Enables your drivers to punch the clock from in the cab, an efficiency enhancer that alone could save you up to 20 minutes per day (this is time spent in your own yard, under your own watch, that you can act on quickly to recapture those minutes, regardless of what happens away from your yard). ·         Captures a meaningful portion of that lost time from each driver. ·         Provides a constant view into the location and performance of your entire fleet. ·         Is adaptable and helps your teams collaborate in real-time with a “central source of truth” and access to relevant data when you need it. At least 50% of employees’ non‐productive time can be captured back efficiently and effectively when the right combinations of levers are pulled – both in terms of area of focus (i.e., time in yard) and adaptability to each individual customer’s business process requirements. This equates to big productivity increases over both the short- and long-term. Learn more about how Command Alkon’s TrackIt solution offers an industry specific, flexible and fully customizable solution to track your fleet and meet your specific needs, including in-cab time and attendance functionality focused at recapturing lost time in the yard, helping you drive a more efficient fleet and improve your profitability. *500 respondents from the United States and 99 from Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Canada. Of those surveyed, 49% work for general contractor firms, 36% came from specialty trades and 15% were owners. Over 300 respondents came from the commercial sector and the other respondents represent industrial and manufacturing, heavy civil, healthcare, power (oil and gas, and energy), education and government.

We talk a lot about providing insights to our clients and equipping them with business intelligence. Researching and testing new technology helps ensure we can do that. With this in mind, we recently had a field tech training day where we introduced our team to two new members of our drone fleet: the FireFLY 6 Pro and the DJI Phantom 4 RTK. Training is an important part of setting up our team and our clients for success. It is critical for our team to have the skills to succeed. If we just give them the tool, but don’t give them knowledge to use it, we are not going to be successful. We give them the knowledge to raise the bar. Download our resource to learn more about what our team is saying about our new drone technology!

Excellence in Mining, Process Plant, Maintenance, and Safety Training  Performance Associates International, Inc. (PAI) is the world leader in online and on-site training for the mining industry. We provide organizations with a single source for assessments, skills training, continuing education, safety training and compliance mandates, and more. Our first-class content guides your staff to gain the critical knowledge they need to work safely and efficiently today.  Our proven, leading-edge industrial training programs improve performance in existing operations and ensure success during the start-up of new operations. Our training programs have saved companies millions in personnel accident prevention, production loss, and equipment damage. We partner with our customers and consult collaboratively to provide the analysis and content development to meet your needs.  Services PAI Offers  Plant Operator Training Our three-tier concept for effective plant operator training starts with fundamental knowledge and progresses to plant-specific concepts that are reinforced through detailed animations and interactive simulations.  Maintenance Training We custom build state-of-the-art maintenance training programs using exploded graphics, explanatory text, detailed procedures, and management systems.  Mobile Equipment Operator Training Our first-class training program focuses on operator controls and indicators, safety, and performance optimization. It also includes operating, emergency, and troubleshooting procedures. Commissioning and Start-Up We can identify, track, and control the thousands of activities that must occur for the successful commissioning and start-up of a process plant. There is no shortcut to a successful start-up. Testing and Tracking Systems We can help manage and track the performance of employees to improve the overall performance of the mine and plant industrial training programs. Our testing and tracking systems provide invaluable assistance in safety and operational compliance.  Introductory and Safety Training Off-the-shelf introductory and safety training packages are an excellent source for mine and plant industrial training courses. They provide fundamental knowledge and basic training concepts. Now offering online courses! E-Learning, Animations, and Simulations Our interactive e-learning keeps trainees focused and engaged. Our experienced in-house multimedia team develops state-of-the-art graphics, virtual and mixed reality training, stunning 3D animations, and technically engineered simulations of real-world scenarios. Other Services We also provide many services relevant to planning, analyzing, and evaluating process plants, including: ·         Operations readiness plan. ·         Planning studies. ·         Quality management. ·         Systems implementation. ·         Statistical process control. ·         Reliability-based asset management. ·         Productive capacity studies. ·         Surveys and needs analyses. ·         Economic life analysis. ·         Process control strategies and methods. ·         Debottlenecking and process optimization. ·         Spare parts inventory and analysis. ·         Feasibility studies. ·         Consulting assistance. Consulting * Gap Analysis * Content Development * LMS * On-Site * Train-the-Trainer * E-Learning * Process Plant Optimization * Training * Safety * Mine Training * Plant Operator Training * Maintenance * Mobile Equipment * Competencies * Commissioning  

Three dimensional animations integrated into a process plant computer-based training (CBT) program can greatly enhance trainee understanding of process equipment. This introductory maintenance manual and animation provides a narrative description of a jaw crusher’s location in the process, its function, components, and maintenance requirements. The animation introduces maintenance personnel to the jaw crusher in a dynamic visual context. The narrated animation replaced the standard text and graphics in the description section of the equipment maintenance (CBT) module. The descriptive text was adapted to a narrative form. Multimedia specialists used engineering drawings and photographs to create models of the equipment and animate the modeled images to illustrate the key concepts and components in concert with the narration.

During the final stages of metallurgical plant construction there is tremendous pressure to commence production. More often than not, there will have been budget overruns and schedule delays. Corporate management and investors are naturally anxious to generate cash flow. This pressure may evolve into a fast-track culture regarding the commissioning and start-up.  www.perfnet.com 

During the final stages of metallurgical plant construction there is tremendous pressure to commence production. More often than not, there will have been budget overruns and schedule delays. Corporate management and investors are naturally anxious to generate cash flow. This pressure may evolve into a fast-track culture regarding the commissioning and start-up. www.perfnet.com 

Developing a profitable mining venture is no small matter. It requires enormous initial investments in research, construction, and equipment. But a mineral processing plant does not run itself. Even with the best equipment and good ore quality, optimal results are dependent upon keeping the process running smoothly, avoiding process upsets, maintaining process variables in the desired range, and minimizing breakdowns and downtime. A highly trained workforce is an essential element in a successful, and profitable, start-up. The knowledge and abilities of plant operators and maintenance personnel can make or break an operation. Trained operators know what to look for during preoperational and routine inspections, allowing maintenance tasks to be planned and unexpected costly breakdowns avoided. Trained operators know what variables exist at different stages in the process and how to make appropriate adjustments in real time. Trained maintenance personnel are well acquainted with the plant equipment, and maintenance planners can schedule work and maintain a spare parts inventory to minimize downtime. Additionally, new operations that train their workforce just prior to plant commissioning can utilize their operators in the commissioning process. Having been trained and gained field experience through plant commissioning, operators are ready to hit the ground running once feed is introduced. A faster ramp-up means more earnings, more quickly. The cost of developing a proper training program is a small percentage of the overall engineering, procurement, and construction budget but it constitutes a large percentage of the gains realized from a successful start-up and ramp-up to full production. Performance Associates International (PAI) has designed and presented custom training programs for operators and maintenance personnel in metallurgical plants around the world for over 35 years. We are proud to have been part of the successful start-ups at Lundin Mining’s Eagle Mine, Vale’s Voisey’s Bay project, and Torex Gold’s El Limon-Guajes project. Click Download to view the actual vs. projected start-up results from these three metallurgical plants that made use of PAI’s custom-built training programs and on-site training.

With reference to greenfield plant projects, using process simulators similar to the designed plant Human-Machine Interface (HMI) or Distributed Control System (DCS) has become common practice. These simulators represent a “virtual plant” based on process modeling of the circuit chemistry and thermodynamics, and on the physical nature of the plant, including equipment, valves, piping, etc. The virtual plant allows trainees to troubleshoot problems, optimize process variables, react to alarms, etc., all based on the process simulation model. Performance Associates’ experience is that this complex simulator training is valuable, but only after more in-depth training on the process and control logic. To truly optimize a process plant, prior to simulator training, the control room operators must have detailed knowledge of the following:  Process objective of each process system, comprising a group of unit operations.  Process objective of each unit operation.  Process chemistry and the variables affecting it.  Important characteristics of each unit operation, the variables affecting it, and the impact on downstream unit operations.  Plant control loops, interlocks, and alarms.  Safety issues related to the process and control schemes.  Operating procedures for start-up and shutdown under various scenarios, as well as important operator tasks. Additionally, trainees must be intimately familiar with the applicable fundamental scientific concepts, such as pressure, temperature, heat exchangers, electricity, PID control logic, combustion, etc. With this fundamental and plant-specific foundation, the process simulator can be fully exploited for training.

With reference to greenfield plant projects, using process simulators similar to the designed plant Human-Machine Interface (HMI) or Distributed Control System (DCS) has become common practice. These simulators represent a “virtual plant” based on process modeling of the circuit chemistry and thermodynamics, and on the physical nature of the plant, including equipment, valves, piping, etc. The virtual plant allows trainees to troubleshoot problems, optimize process variables, react to alarms, etc., all based on the process simulation model.  Performance Associates’ experience is that this complex simulator training is valuable, but only after more in-depth training on the process and control logic. To truly optimize a process plant, prior to simulator training, the control room operators must have detailed knowledge of the following:Process objective of each process system, comprising a group of unit operations.Process objective of each unit operation.Process chemistry and the variables affecting it.Important characteristics of each unit operation, the variables affecting it, and the impact on downstream unit operations.Plant control loops, interlocks, and alarms.Safety issues related to the process and control schemes.Operating procedures for start-up and shutdown under various scenarios, as well as important operator tasks.Additionally, trainees must be intimately familiar with the applicable fundamental scientific concepts, such as pressure, temperature, heat exchangers, electricity, PID control logic, combustion, etc. With this fundamental and plant-specific foundation, the process simulator can be fully exploited for training. 

The geology report, feasibility study, and mine plan look great. Why do so many mining project start-ups fail to perform? Most mining companies put a great deal of emphasis on the nature of the reserve, the mine plan, the extraction process to be used, and the process plant design—obviously all very important. Even when large, highly regarded engineering, procurement, and construction firms develop the project, operating results are very often disappointing. In this paper, we explore the role of Operations Readiness on the financial impact of mining project start-ups. A relatively small investment in operations readiness produces a huge financial return. Many investment firms, as well as mining company senior executives, fail to consider this important factor in operating success.

Founded in 1983, Performance Associates International (PAI) is the worldwide leader in mine and plant industrial training. Our custom training modules and on-site training have improved start-up success and operations for clients on nearly every continent. We invite you to experience one of our e-learning training modules. Here you will see a video demonstration of a sample principle of operation from an e-learning module. A principle of operation describes in detail how a piece of equipment or a process works. In this sample, you will learn about Jameson Cell flotation technology and how its design allows for more efficient mineral separation in a much smaller tank than traditional column and mechanical flotation cells. We describe in detail the key components of the Jameson Cell and the operating principles. At the end of the module, a test will help assess what you learned. In a full training program, test results can be recorded and tracked in an LMS. A principle of operation like this would be only one of many included with a full plant operations training program. Note: This is a sample and does not contain the Jameson Cell training module in its entirety. If you would like to try out this e-learning module, please contact Kenneth Slack at [email protected] or +1-520-544-2220.

How can the overall performance of your plant be determined? Most plants calculate availability, or the percent of the time the plant or a particular circuit is operating, as well as overall production and recovery. But, is this information enough? Does it provide sufficient fine-grained information on where improvements can be made? This paper suggests five quantitative factors applied to a plant or to individual parts of a plant that identify the productivity of the plant—in other words, its productivity profile.

In this interactive PDF, we talk about common training myths and our responses.

How can the overall performance of your plant be determined? Most plants calculate availability, or the percent of the time the plant or a particular circuit is operating, as well as overall production and recovery. But, is this information enough? Does it provide sufficient fine-grained information on where improvements can be made? This paper suggests five quantitative factors applied to a plant or to individual parts of a plant that identify the productivity of the plant—in other words, its productivity profile.

Ensure that your plant has a good inventory of spare parts on hand by learning how to collect the data necessary to build your own spare parts inventory model.

As the city of Ottawa and surrounding areas grew, so did demand for M CON’s precast concrete products, growing from 40-50,000 tons to 70-80,000 tons annually over five years.But the challenge was not only to keep up with greater volumes – larger, heavier products accounted for an increasingly large part of demand, requiring enhanced material handling capabilities.M CON turned to their local Hyster dealer for a solution. Download to learn more.

Gossett Concrete Pipe Co. operates from a 30-acre site that houses two manufacturing plants—one designed for production of small and mid-range-diameter concrete pipe and one for box culverts and large-diameter pipe.The company utilizes materials handling equipment to move pipe within the manufacturing facility, transport it to storage areas across the yard, and onto flatbed trucks for delivery.

Gossett Concrete Pipe Co. operates from a 30-acre site that houses two manfacturing plants—one designed for production of small and mid-range-diameter concrete pipe and one for box culverts and large-diameter pipe.The company utilizes materials handling equipment to move pipe within the manufacturing facility, transport it to storage areas across the yard, and onto flatbed trucks for delivery.

Gossett Concrete Pipe Co. operates from a 30-acre site that houses two manfacturing plants—one designed for production of small and mid-range-diameter concrete pipe and one for box culverts and large-diameter pipe.The company utilizes materials handling equipment to move pipe within the manufacturing facility, transport it to storage areas across the yard, and onto flatbed trucks for delivery.

Gossett Concrete Pipe Co. operates from a 30-acre site that houses two manfacturing plants—one designed for production of small and mid-range-diameter concrete pipe and one for box culverts and large-diameter pipe.The company utilizes materials handling equipment to move pipe within the manufacturing facility, transport it to storage areas across the yard, and onto flatbed trucks for delivery.

Keep precast concrete moving, day-after-dayAs the city of Ottawa and surrounding areas grew, so did demand for M CON’s precast concrete products, growing from 40-50,000 tons to 70-80,000 tons annually over five years.But the challenge was not only to keep up with greater volumes – larger, heavier products accounted for an increasingly large part of demand, requiring enhanced material handling capabilities.M CON turned to their local Hyster dealer for a solution.

Precast concrete manufacturer relies on heavy duty big trucks to support rapid growthM CON Products produces everything from maintenance holes and catch basins, to pipes, box culverts and other critical concrete products to support residential and commercial development projects in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario.

Fast-Weigh is the industry’s first cloud truck scale ticketing and accounting software for aggregate sales and logistics — dispatching, load-out, ticketing, billing, delivery, payment processing, and more.

The Fast-Weigh eTicketing suite is an all-in-one cloud ticketing platform that allows for a completely paperless operation while ensuring compliance with the latest DOT regulations. With our eTicketing solution, your team will gain unprecedented access to live ticketing data and proof of delivery tracking from any mobile device.

For Viewpoint customers seeking new scale ticketing software, Fast-Weigh delivers direct integration with Viewpoint’s Vista™ and Spectrum® ERP platforms. Fast-Weigh is the leading cloud-based material ticketing platform, providing centralized operations management to companies of all sizes.

Pulse condition monitoring from Haver & Boecker Niagara uses modern algorithms and artificial intelligence to monitor the health of vibrating screens, allowing processing operations to be proactive, rather than reactive, when it comes to maintenance efforts. This leads to increased efficiency and decreased downtime – one of the largest sources of lost revenue for producers.

The BEUMER autopac® is an efficient and cost-effective system for simultaneous loading and palletising of bagged materials such as cement, lime or gypsum. In either a mobile or static configuration, it offers a wide range of applications guaranteeing optimum utilisation of dispatch capacities. Download the brochure to learn more.

Learn how BEUMER helped modernize and increase the performance of the plant between the longitudinal stockyard and the ship loading system for ASEAN Bintulu Fertilizer.