Haver & Boecker Niagara offers Make & Hold Agreements and Stocking Agreements so you can secure your stock and minimize unwanted downtime.

Haver & Boecker Niagara highlights the advantages of pairing eccentric screening technology with polyurethane screen media. Read the benefits here.

Vibrating screens work hard to keep your product in spec. But, like all equipment, they require proactive maintenance, wear part replacement and periodic upgrades to more efficient technology to maintain reliability and productivity. Read more for daily, weekly and monthly inspection tips.

Haver & Boecker Niagara introduces a new electronic guide that expands its dedicated suite of tools to complement its PROcheck approach.

Haver & Boecker Niagara offers a full diagnostics portfolio by combining the Pulse Impact Test, Pulse Vibration Analysis, and Pulse Condition Monitoring to give aggregates and mining producers a more holistic view of their mineral processing equipment.

Haver & Boecker Niagara updated its deck frame technology to include Pin & Anchor and Cap & Slide designs.Compatible with any groove-style screen media panel, the Cap & Slide deck frame offers ease of installation and extended wear life. The design features a simple polyurethane sleeve that locks into the rail and is held in place with a key. The Pin & Anchor deck frame system incorporates laser cut rails with polyurethane pins and anchors that firmly hold screen media in place and are easily replaceable as wear occurs, extending wear life and reducing downtime.

With a seventy-year history in designing, manufacturing, operating and service of pelletizing equipment, Haver & Boecker Niagara has established itself as a leading specialist in the production of the innovative SCARABAEUS© 7500. Sustainability, maximum efficiency and improved product quality are the main reasons for our customer from Ukraine, to place its trust in our team by ordering in total 15 of our pelletizing discs, 7 of which are about to go into production due to the currently signed contract.

Discover Xylem's extensive portfolio of customizable solutions. Each application and product solution is designed to ensure your mine is operating at its optimal performance.

Ensuring water works for you, Xylem’s extensive mining solutions portfolio and expertise can help boost productivity, safety, reliability and sustainability of your mining operation.

The webinar, moderated by North American Mining magazine editor Donna Schmidt, will feature Weir Minerals Australia applications engineering business manager AARON SCHOT, who will discuss diverse problems dealing with mud, sludge and spoils in mining and how they can be transported safely and efficiently across sites continuously without impacting machinery – and while minimizing personnel involvement in that process for greater miner safety. Hear more about the Multiflo Mudflo solution, its history, and how the pump can be integral to an advanced sites’ dredging plans. About Aaron Schot:Aaron, business manager for Applications Engineering at Weir Minerals Australia, joined the company as a graduate engineer after completing a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) in 2014 at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Since then, Aaron has held multiple roles within Weir Minerals working primarily with the Multiflo product, specializing in formulating the engineering design of electric and diesel dewatering pumping solutions for both domestic (Australia) and international customers across the mining, municipal and agriculture industries. During his tenure with Weir Minerals, Aaron has also completed a significant amount of work developing and designing new fuel management systems within the Hydrau-Flo™ brand. About the moderator:Donna Schmidt, editor of North American Miningmagazine and the globally focused Miners News weekly e-newsletter and news editor for The ASIA Miner, has been a part of the trade press community for nearly 18 years and has hosted a number of webinars for mining suppliers and partners on a various topics including digitalization, automation and site efficiency, among others. Part of the editorial staff of SEMCO Publishing, which is also home to titles such as Rock Products, Concrete Products and Cement Products magazines, has directed editorial at both NAM and MinersNews.net since their respective inceptions in 2021.

Increase efficiency, improve safety, and reduce downtime with the VDG Drum Motor. Customers and OEMs share their experiences upgrading their belt conveyors with our one-component drum motor.  The innovative VDG Drum Motor has all drive components including motor and gear reducer enclosed inside the drum for a safer, more efficient, and space optimized belt conveyor drive solution. Reducing energy expenses by 30% per drive, all components of the VDG Drum Motor are designed for 80,000 hours of continuous operation before maintenance, minimizing downtime, reducing maintenance costs, and increasing production.  All VDG Drum Motors are engineered and manufactured in-house in USA and Canada, using cutting-edge production technology and automation, ensuring quality, fast delivery, and after sales support.

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.

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.

StrataConnect DigitalBRIDGE™ is a point-to-multipoint Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) network for underground applications. It delivers both power and high-speed Ethernet data over a single coaxial cable to any location where digital end-point devices are desired. DigitalBRIDGE™ provides data speeds and capabilities comparable to fiber and can be used for a wide variety of applications such as, voice communications, Wi-Fi access, video, telemetry, tracking, tele-remoting and more.

Using existing leaky feeder coaxial cable, along with Strata’s high-quality bidirectional line amplifiers, DigitalBRIDGE Plus+ delivers power, Ethernet data and a full spectrum of VHF radio frequencies all over a single cable network.

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.

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.

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.

We know that geospatial data collection is increasingly accessible. But data is more than just a number. Real solutions come from understanding and analyzing the data that is collected. We work with our clients to develop meaningful deliverables for underground mining applications that save our clients money and improve their operations. Transforming data into actionable insights is what the Firmatek team delivers. Learn more about the data collection and analysis process in our case study by Seaver Hall, Project Engineer.

Because water plays a critical role in both open pit and underground mining, Xylem Rental Solutions can help you solve even the most complex water challenges. Whether you require fast-track temporary emergency response or reliable long-term operation, we design, build and manage rugged, scalable turnkey systems that provide greater efficiency, reliability, and peace of mind. With our advanced treatment equipment, precision analytics, and wide range of durable pumps – including Godwin, Goulds and Flygt – you can rent everything you need from one trusted partner. And with our deep expertise in mining exploration, development and long-term operation, we also provide the brainpower you need for smarter, more environmentally responsible water management.

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.

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.

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 

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.

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  

Performance Associates (PAI) delivered a jaw crusher introductory maintenance manual and animation to Northern Star Resources, Ltd.—Kanowna Belle Project in Western Australia on June 7, 2019. The animation provides a narrative description of the jaw crusher’s location in the process, its function, components, and maintenance requirements. With this delivery, PAI successfully met Northern Star Resources’ need for an animation that could introduce new maintenance personnel to the Kanowna Belle jaw crusher in a dynamic visual context. The narrated animation replaced the standard text and graphics in the description section of the equipment maintenance computer-based training (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.

In many mine and plant operations, safety is looked upon as an extra layer of special attention placed above the operations management layer. But safety awareness must be built into the detailed operations and maintenance training on the equipment as well as on the process itself.  

Strata excels in problem solving, and we have the products, equipment and expertise to work with mine personnel to overcome difficulties and deliver reliable and lasting results. Strata’s qualified mining professionals are available to evaluate your mining conditions and recommend the best solution.Strata’s uniquely formulated injection products provide unlimited applications in: Water Control - Sealing, diverting, stoppingCavity and Void FillingFragmented rock consolidationGround consolidation and stabilizationRock Cracks and Faults Repair/SealingStructural Support

Proximity detection in mining is one of the most vital of today’s technologies for keeping workers safe around heavy machinery.  Strata HazardAvert® for coal mines is specifically designed for the underground coal environment and is MSHA approved to be used mine-wide on both production and haulage equipment. The system promotes safer work practices through increased safety awareness and modified worker behavior. It works to prevented accidents and collisions which in-turn improves overall productivity and efficiency.

Proximity detection and collision avoidance is one of the most vital of today’s technologies for keeping workers safe around heavy machinery. The ever-enhancing Strata HazardAvert® is designed to be used in both underground and surface mining operations and the system promotes safer work practices through increased safety awareness and modified worker behavior. It works to prevented accidents and collisions which in-turn improves overall productivity and efficiency.

StrataConnect WirelessMonitor. Control. Track. Alert.Completely wireless and battery-powered components to build and expand your network, for permanent or temporary needs.

StrataConnect DigitalBRIDGE™ is a point-to-multipoint Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) digital network for underground applications. It delivers both power and high speed digital data over a single coaxial cable to any location where digital end-point devices are desired. DigitalBRIDGE™ provides data speeds and capabilities comparable to fiber and can be used for a wide variety of applications such as, Voice-over-IP (VoIP) communications, Wi-Fi access, video, cameras, telemetry, tracking, tele-remoting and more.

Introduction to the Penetron system of products  and how Penetron crystalline materials will save your project time and money. 

Introduction to the Penetron system of products  and how Penetron crystalline materials will save your project time and money. 

Learn how Penetron crystalline technology helps seal cracks and extended the lifespan of concrete.

Actual Time-lapse of Crystal Growth with Penetron crystalline technology.

Modera Coral Gables is a 237-unit luxury apartment mid-rise building in Miami, Florida, located on an urban infill area and only one block south of Coral Gables’ Miracle Mile, a pedestrian-friendly entertainment and retail hub. The building is LEED Silver-certified and has six residential floors above three levels of parking. A large pool is situated on an expansive elevated deck on the fourth floor. Originally, a bentonite mat was specified for the foundation. Because excavations were five feet below the water table, it became impossible to eliminate enough water to install the mat. Cemex, the ready-mix supplier, worked with Penetron on a solution. PENETRON ADMIX was mixed into the concrete for all below-grade structures (and also the three-level parking garage and the fourth floor pool structure), allowing placement of the concrete into the waterlogged site.

The expansion of the Oyster Creek propylene production facility in Freeport, Texas, was a key part of Dow Chemical’s multi-billion-dollar investment (Gulfstream) program to take advantage of low market prices for locally-produced shale gas. The massive scope of construction made easy application and reliability of the concrete treatment solution a priority. PENETRON ADMIX SB was specified as a robust waterproofing solution for all concrete used for the water containment tanks – each with a capacity of 1.5 million gallons (5.7 million liters). As an integral waterproofing protection, it prevents penetration of water and aggressive agents into the concrete and also features a self-healing capability. Delivered in pre-measured soluble bags, the admixture simplified accurate dosage during batching and saved time in the construction schedule.

San Diego’s Metropolitan Transportation Service (MTS) new, high-efficiency wheel truing pit keeps MTS rail cars rolling smoothly. When the general contractor began construction, water quickly filled the construction site (almost three feet under the water table). To finish the excavation, seven dewatering pumps were installed to keep water out. The project was a small but complex mix of new and existing construction with numerous unique conditions, all requiring  a waterproofing solution Ultimately, Penetron crystalline products were chosen over traditional waterproofing solutions, including PENETRON ADMIX for the footings, slab and walls of the truing pit, PENEBAR SW waterstop strips to seal all cold joints, and PENECRETE MORTAR to patch any remaining cracks and imperfections in the new concrete structure. The choice saved construction time and money.

The expansion of the Canpotex Marine Terminal 5 in Portland, Oregon, enlarged the facility’s capacity to process and ship white potash to overseas markets. Initially, a membrane solution was specified to protect the concrete piers, tunnel and building foundations. However, the project owners opted for an integral solution, thanks, in part, to many contractors who said they saved time and reduced construction costs when switching from a traditional surface applied waterproofing to a Penetron crystalline solution for projects located in a marine environment. Penetron worked with Cal Portland to design an optimal concrete mix that met the demands of the marine environment. PENETRON ADMIX was used to waterproof all new concrete. PENETRON slurry and PENECRETE MORTAR were applied to the tie holes and to patch previous honeycombing and defects.

The expansion of the Canpotex Marine Terminal 5 in Portland, Oregon, enlarged the facility’s capacity to process and ship white potash to overseas markets. Initially, a membrane solution was specified to protect the concrete piers, tunnel and building foundations. However, the project owners opted for an integral solution, thanks, in part, to many contractors who said they saved time and reduced construction costs when switching from a traditional surface applied waterproofing to a Penetron crystalline solution for projects located in a marine environment. Penetron worked with Cal Portland to design an optimal concrete mix that met the demands of the marine environment. PENETRON ADMIX was used to waterproof all new concrete. PENETRON slurry and PENECRETE MORTAR were applied to the tie holes and to patch previous honeycombing and defects.

To keep a live tiger mascot happy at Louisiana State University (LSU), you need a substantial water area (including a large pond and waterfall for hot weather), an enormous synthetic rock (with a heated or cooled surface, as a lookout for the tiger), and new landscaping. Construction of the upgraded habitat specified PENETRON ADMIX SB (in soluble bags) to provide an integrated crystalline waterproofing solution. Applied as a wet process shotcrete application, the PENETRON ADMIX SB was added to the PENETRON ADMIX-Enhanced Shotcrete (PAES) to create a durable and naturalistic surface for the lookout rock and provide a new, waterproof surface for the pond and waterfall area. Mike the Tiger attracts more than 100,000 visitors each year and can be viewed via the live webcam at www.MiketheTiger.com.

The South Cobb Tunnel Lift Station in Austell, Georgia, was the largest expansion project and deepest tunnel construction undertaken by the Cobb County Water Authority (CCWS), and it was completed a year ahead of schedule. Part of a comprehensive sewage and wastewater treatment system, the 5.5-mile-long tunnel was built through hard rock at a maximum depth of 400 feet. The project also included a 130 million gallon/day lift station to transport wastewater flows; the height of the station is about 212 feet. PENETRON ADMIX was used to ensure the concrete structures, tanks, foundation slaps and containment structures could resist the high levels of water pressure remain watertight. The admixture was also added to the concrete lining used to support areas of fractured rock and groundwater inflow.

The South Cobb Tunnel Lift Station in Austell, Georgia, was the largest expansion project and deepest tunnel construction undertaken by the Cobb County Water Authority (CCWS), and it was completed a year ahead of schedule. Part of a comprehensive sewage and wastewater treatment system, the 5.5-mile-long tunnel was built through hard rock at a maximum depth of 400 feet. The project also included a 130 million gallon/day lift station to transport wastewater flows; the height of the station is about 212 feet. PENETRON ADMIX was used to ensure the concrete structures, tanks, foundation slaps and containment structures could resist the high levels of water pressure remain watertight. The admixture was also added to the concrete lining used to support areas of fractured rock and groundwater inflow.

Every job site demands unique attention. That’s why every Bridgestone and Firestone Off-the- Road tire must meet our standard of engineering and innovation. Our UGHR line-up provides the cut resistance and durability required for underground mining, while delivering a high level of stability and traction to meet the varying heat- severity requirements of our customers.

Underground mining is at an interesting place right now, with the availability of diesel-free, battery electric equipment in most of the vehicle categories except heavy haulage, with that gap being actively addressed by a number of OEMs and the solution, not something to be relegated to the distant future as a theoretical. It’s coming, along with fast charge capabilities underground.

Fresh ideas aren't just welcomed, they are needed. Sustainable mining practices have been a concern for years and they are now more important than ever. As demand for resources continues to grow, mining companies are focused on figuring out how to deliver raw materials as efficiently and sustainably as possible — and the driving force behind this effort is technology. Download our article for more information on the 3 Ways to Continue Mining's Journey Toward Sustainability.

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

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

Between 1972 – 2012 maintenance seminars were conducted on-site at 61 mining and mineral processing operations in Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Egypt, Indonesia, Ireland, Jamaica, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Peru, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, UAE and the US. Most types of minerals were mined and processed and coal extracted, cleaned and shipped. In these open-pit and underground operations maintenance workforces ranged from several hundred to over a thousand. Here is what we learned.

A true service provider is called upon to bring all of their tools, knowledge, and expertise in times of crisis. We provide our clients with confidence in their data, and go above and beyond to serve them and work with them to solve critical problems. One of our clients was facing a serious problem when an underground tunnel was in grave danger of collapsing or causing a major flood. Read our case study to find out how we used the right tool for the job and found a solution to their problem.

Electrification now competes for attention in underground mining projects. Click the below link to know more: https://www.macleanengineering.com/blog-view-all/ev-momentum-inevitability

Is your dust collection system working at peak efficiency? A quick, do-it-yourself examination may identify symptoms that your system needs a check-up. Enjoy this video from The Dust Efficiency Clinic at Aerodyne. You'll be able to identify five signs that may diagnose a sluggish system so that you can return your system to full efficiency.

These are just some of the questions that should be addressed when considering a material handling valve for your application. What type of material is being handled? How much should be spent? What kind of power source can be supplied? This white paper offers an easy how-to-guide for selecting the right material handling valve for your specific application. Simply fill out the form and you will have immediate access to the guide.

This video from the Dust Efficiency Clinic discusses five warning signs that your dust collection system needs a pre-filter. Pre-filtering may reduce operating and maintenance costs by extending bag or filter life and improving removal efficiencies.

These are just some of the questions that should be addressed when considering a material handling valve for your application. What type of material is being handled? How much should be spent? What kind of power source can be supplied? This white paper offers an easy how-to-guide for selecting the right material handling valve for your specific application.

How Much is Your Baghouse or Cartridge Collector Costing You? This whitepaper highlights: 1) The Top 5 Reasons to use a cyclone as a pre-filter for baghouses or cartridge collectors. 2) How pre-filters help to extend bag or filter life, and improving removal efficiencies.

The costs of replacement bags, machine downtime and wages accumulate quickly. Our infographic shows how placing a cyclone dust collector in front of a baghouse can lower expenses by extending filter life and reducing maintenance. See the components of an efficient, low-maintenance system. Download this infographic now to get more information about: 1) Components of a low-maintenance system. 2) 5 reasons to use a cyclone before a baghouse. 3) Animation of a counter-cyclonic dust collector.

The All-Electric Mine of the Future, and the Need for Good Roadbeds NOW Click the link below to learn more: http://www.macleanengineering.com/blog

Do the rotary valves under your dust collectors cause maintenance headaches? Are they clogging? Are you having to drop everything and assign extra labor to fix them? Aerodyne™’s Vacu-Valve ® is the solution! Have a look at this infographic and to learn how the Vacu-valve solves these issues and improves the discharge efficiency of your baghouse, filters and cyclones.

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)

Evaluate your current dust collection system for operational efficiency. Explore these five crucial areas and assess the effectiveness of your: Pickup points, Duct work, Dust Collector, Cyclone, and Exhaust fan. Pinpoint how these major areas may affect your dust collection.

The GPC Dust Collector is an efficient way to handle your dust collecting needs. The GPC dust collector’s small size makes it easy to solve dust collecting problems for plants and workshops with limited floor space or overhead clearance, making it an ideal solution for your dust collecting problems.

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.

How Much is Your Baghouse or Cartridge Collector Costing You? This whitepaper highlights: 1. the Top 5 Reasons to use a cyclone as a pre-filter for baghouses or cartridge collectors. 2. how pre-filter help to extend bag or filter life, and improving removal efficiencies.

The Aerodyne Vacu-Valve is an economical alternative to rotary valves. Its unique design allows it to provide an airlock with no moving parts on dust collectors that are operating with a slight vacuum. Material that is fine, free flowing and will not bridge drains from the Vacu-Valve sleeve, while maintaining an airlock.

This underground nickel mine in the Midwest United States is relatively young with only a few years of production blasting. The operation is employing a sublevel stope mining technique. The operator purchases Dyno TITAN® RU emulsion and electronic detonators for blasting. The customer was experiencing poor blast results over a substantial period of time. When the customer first contacted DynoConsult® for assistance, the concern was the under-breaking of the ore which left valuable material along the ribs. At that time the mine engineers were looking for guidance on the delay times they should be using to improve the recovery of ore. During the site visit by DynoConsult, it was also discovered that there were a few instances of benches and bridges being left in the stope after mucking. In one stope it was estimated that over $1 million worth of ore was left unrecoverable in the stope. It was also revealed during the site visit that there were issues related to tight digging of the muckpile even though the fragmentation was adequate.

After speaking with Dyno Nobel, the mine decided to implement BlastWeb®, a centralised blasting system that is specifically designed for use in underground mining operations. BlastWeb allows reliable remote initiation of development, production and stope blasting from a safe and controlled location on the surface. The blast areas can be completely evacuated as no-one is required to be underground for the blasting. In addition to the obvious safety benefits, the other main benefit of the system at this mine is a reduction in the re-entry time. After the implementation of BlastWeb, a comparison was made of the blast completion times before and after its introduction. It was determined that centralised blasting reduced the blast completion time, on average, by 10 minutes. The implementation of Dyno Nobel’s Centralised Blasting System supports both the safety of the mine employees during blasting and an increase in production time.

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.

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

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.

Too often training is done “for the sake of it” or only to fulfill a compliance requirement. In reality the biggest return on investment from training equipment operators is achieved by targeting actual performance variance identified through data including fleet management system data. Performance variance in production, machine abuse and safety costs an average mine millions of dollars per year.

Eaton’s B-Line series metallic cable ladder systems are engineered to provide superior strength to weight ratio while providing the lowest total installed cost of any cable management system in the industry today. This is achieved through continuous innovation, market and customer based knowledge.

The robots are coming: Taking the miner out of mining is the common theme these days as the pace of advance of artificial intelligence quickens, as big data goes from a buzz phrase to business-as-usual, and as the move through semi to full automation continues. Autonomous operation is on all the major mining companies’ innovation roadmaps. At some point down the road, that is where the bulk of the industry will end up. But we have lots of ground to cover and many years of advances to get through, before we get there in a broad sense. How to manage the transition years is the big question, for mining companies and manufacturers alike.

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

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

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

The cause for the large drop in fall-of-ground fatalities in Ontario, Canada since the 1960s can be attributed to a variety of factors including increased regulation, better engineering and ground support practices, and the buildup of a stronger culture of safety in mines.

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. Read how this situation was corrected.

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.

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 Mining Maintenance Management Course is ideal for training maintenance personnel on the procedures, techniques, strategies and methodologies required to manage maintenance effectively. While maintenance personnel are the primary audience, staff organizations and operations will learn how to focus their support and cooperative efforts to enhance maintenance performance. Mining managers will appreciate recommended policies and key indices to guide and monitor the overall maintenance effort. The overall course objective is the development of a cohesive, efficient team from manager to worker to meet the unique maintenance requirements of the mining industry.

Download PowerPoint instructions - How to Implement a Maintenance program.

Luff Industries has partnered with Richwood Molded Rubber products to provide its customers with the ultimate drive pulley solution.

The purpose of this paper is to review a case study of a successful energy project at the ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor facility involving the addition of five new adjustable frequency drives (AFDs) used to regulate flow of the high-volume water spray system for the runout table (ROT). The paper will outline 1) processes used in justifying new technology updates, 2) mill alignment with the serving electric utility to leverage energy credits, 3) equipment selection and installation and 4) metrics used to demonstrate the project delivered the desired payback.

This paper outlines the experience of one global cement producer that embarked on site surveys and studies to achieve arc flash safety compliance at 13 cement plants in the U.S. and Canada.

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.

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.

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.

Check out Luff Industries manufacturing facility and processes in this quick overview of the main branch in Calgary, Alberta.

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?

Numerous problems can develop when there are no criteria for determining which new maintenance work should be planned. Typical: confusion, wasted time, equipment problems get worse while supervisor and planner haggle, planners and supervisors at cross purposes, arguments. Sending all work to the planner only delays reaction while planner arranges a work order for simple jobs that do not require planning. Supervisors knows actual equipment condition - - planner often does not. Planner wastes time acting as a work order clerk. Valuable planning time wasted while planner prepares simple WO document handled better by supervisor. Supervisor waits for work order from planner while watching equipment problem turn into a potential emergency. Problem often made worse because work order system has no simple format to handle simple jobs. Supervisor may feel work order system too complex to use and resorts to simple (yellow pad) procedure that fails to record what happened or collect work related information.

Recognized for innovative products, quick turnaround times and exceptional customer service, Luff conveyor components can be found in a variety of industrial material-handling applications around the world. Manufacturing a complete line of idlers for every application, industry-leading pulleys and many other products, Luff Industries provides the most complete line of conveyor components in the industry.

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.