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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

When you're ready to build, we're ready to go! We've built a dedicated, direct-to-you sales and support network -- backed by a strategic network of branch locations and service centers -- to keep your fleet on the job and working hard for you.

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.

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.

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  

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!

Safety, quality control and efficiency rule at two of the industry's newest urban operations: National Ready Mixed Concrete Co. Vernon (Los Angeles) and Superior Concrete/U.S. Concrete Inc. District of Columbia plants. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from industry experts sharing video tours and how they are responding to:Market conditions driving new ready mixed concrete capacity in urban areasTruck routing and material handling system pointers boosting safety & efficiencyProcess or storm water management and recycling measuresDust control plansAdvanced dispatch and fleet tracking technologyAdmixture and cementitious material factors unique to plants and urban market customers & orders

Safety, quality control and efficiency rule at two of the industry's newest urban operations: National Ready Mixed Concrete Co. Vernon (Los Angeles) and Superior Concrete/U.S. Concrete Inc. District of Columbia plants. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from industry experts sharing video tours and how they are responding to:Market conditions driving new ready mixed concrete capacity in urban areasTruck routing and material handling system pointers boosting safety & efficiencyProcess or storm water management and recycling measuresDust control plansAdvanced dispatch and fleet tracking technologyAdmixture and cementitious material factors unique to plants and urban market customers & orders

It will take more than pay increases to attract new drivers. Rather than harping onneeding more trucks and drivers, a new approach needs to be taken to determine asolution for the existing problems; the industry needs to consider ways to better utilizeexisting trucks and drivers.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

Wheel maintenance often takes a back seat to tire maintenance, but fleet managers should realize wheels are equally as important. Tires are only as good as the wheel assemblies on which they’re safely mounted, and business owners 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. Here are five tips to enhance wheel and tire safety as well as machine uptime — saving you time and money in the long run.

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.

Metso MX™ multi-action cone crusher The Metso MX™ cone crusher is based on revolutionary multi-action crushing technology that combines the piston and rotating bowl into a single crusher. The new crusher cuts operational costs by 10% and enables 10% more uptime than traditional cone crushers. Parts for peak performance Genuine Metso crusher wear and spare parts are the only ones on the market designed together with Metso crushers, and we provide support for both current and classic products. Metso OEM parts ensure proper fit, form, and function to reduce risk and downtime. Get more from your equipment with Metso Metrics Make the most of your operations by leveraging data provided straight from your equipment. Through a mounted equipment device, Metso Metrics shows key data—from utilization rates, to production levels, to fuel consumption—with secured access on a PC or tablet. Metso Metrics brings you critical insights on fleet performance and maintenance needs. #TheMetsoWay www.metso.com

Under our Life Cycle Services offer, Metso Metrics Services is now available for our aggregate customers. Comprised of a cloud-based, remote monitoring and data visualization service for Metso Lokotrack® mobile crushing and screening equipment, you gain critical data and insight on your fleets operational performance and maintenance needs. Coupled with access to Metso and our partner’s expertise, you can take appropriate actions to improve utilization rates and get more from your assets.

Under our Life Cycle Services offer, Metso Metrics Services is now available for our aggregate customers. Comprised of a cloud-based, remote monitoring and data visualization service for Metso Lokotrack® mobile crushing plants, you gain critical data and insight on your fleets operational performance and maintenance needs.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Download PowerPoint instructions - How to Implement a Maintenance program.

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.

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

Do you know what questions to ask when you’re demoing and comparing new excavators? Working from this checklist will help determine which machine is the wise investment for your fleet.

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.

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.

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.