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How Gold-Mine Operator is Reducing Downtime by Putting the Spotlight on Light Vehicle Maintenance
One of our client’s, a major underground mining contractor, operates across several sites in Australia. While we’ve been supplying them with parts at various locations for over two years, we recently began supporting their workshop at a new gold mine in the Goldfields region just outside of Kalgoorlie. With this site located in an especially harsh environment, the maintenance team quickly recognized the need to focus on the performance and upkeep of their light vehicles (LVs) to avoid any interruptions in productivity.
Reducing Downtime in Mining: The Critical Role of Light Vehicle Maintenance
In the mining industry, every asset plays a role in keeping operations running smoothly, and light vehicles are no exception. Unplanned downtime for these vehicles has significant impacts that cause ripple affects on operations, often resulting in production delays and cost overruns. If an LV sits idle in the workshop, it’s not serving its purpose in the field, causing delays that affect the entire workflow.
“It’s all about reducing downtime. If the LVs are sitting in the workshop, that’s a vehicle not being used out in the field. That causes delays in the whole mining operation, which means bigger costs than just the LV parts alone.”
– Maintenance Foreman, Gold Mine, Kalgoorlie Goldfields Region
A poorly maintained light vehicle fleet can disrupt productivity, affecting tasks and timelines on a large scale. By keeping LVs in optimal condition, we’re helping our client mitigate this risk and maintain a seamless operation. Some of the critical factors that help us achieve positive results are; part availability, quality of parts, speed of ad-hoc parts supply.
Cost-Effective Mining Solutions: Why High-Quality Parts are CHEAPER than Low-Cost Alternatives
In mining, the balance between upfront costs and long-term savings is crucial. Opting for cheap parts may initially save money but can lead to frequent breakdowns, higher repair costs, and overall inefficiency. We’ve worked closely with the client’s Maintenance Managers and Fitters to supply high-quality parts that last longer in the harsh conditions.
“Longer-lasting parts mean fewer breakdowns, making them more cost-effective when you look at the big picture. It’s not all about finding the cheapest unit price. Most of the time the cheaper parts will just cause problems down the line.”
– Maintenance Foreman, Gold Mine, Kalgoorlie Goldfields Region
We prioritize cost-effectiveness on a larger scale, by focusing on reducing downtime. For instance, by using the TAKEO wheel bearing kit with the double-lipped hub seal, our client has seen a marked reduction in the number of LVs requiring wheel bearing replacements. Although our kit might not be the cheapest on the market, the improved quality means fewer replacements and breakdowns, which brings a cost saving over the lifespan of the asset.
“Since switching to the TAKEO wheel bearing kit with the double-lipped hub seal, I’ve seen fewer LVs needing a wheel bearing replacement. This swing alone, I’ve done a quarter of the usual amount.”
– Senior LV Fitter, Gold Mine, Kalgoorlie Goldfields Region
The PDF below has more details of the wheel bearing kit mentioned (OE-LC1ABS+) and a wider range of our driveline parts and kits.
Parts Used by Our Client to Minimize Downtime on Site
Custom Mining Maintenance Strategies: Adapting to Site Conditions for Maximum Efficiency
Every mine site has unique conditions that impact the wear and performance of light vehicles, meaning a ‘one size fits all’ approach simply won’t work. The climate, terrain, and intensity of vehicle use vary widely between locations, making it essential to customize LV maintenance strategies to match the specific site environment.
That’s why we work closely with each site to tailor our range of parts, using real-time feedback from the client’s team on the ground to ensure the best fit for each site’s unique challenges. This also gives us perspective on the labor hours being allocated for specific jobs, which often varies greatly between sites. A close relationship with site means we can prioritise R&D efforts towards areas consuming the most labour time for fitters.
“Some cost-effective parts may perform well on one site but lead to breakdowns on another site just fifty kilometers down the road.”
– Senior LV Fitter, Gold Mine, Kalgoorlie Goldfields Region
Our client’s maintenance strategy often begins at a head office level but is further refined through insights from on-site managers and fitters, who understand the site-specific demands better than anyone. This collaborative approach allows us to make proactive adjustments and source parts that help increase the lifespan of the LVs in even the toughest environments. By tailoring maintenance plans and forging strong relationships with onsite teams, we ensure that mining operations remain as efficient and reliable as possible.
Looking Ahead: Building Stronger Partnerships for Optimal Efficiency
Mobile maintenance is a constantly evolving challenge, especially in the high-demand environment of a mining site. We’re committed to building lasting partnerships with our client’s maintenance teams, providing long-lasting parts and tailored support that keep their vehicles running efficiently. We look forward to continued collaboration as our client strives for excellence, keeping light vehicles in top condition and ensuring that the entire mining operation runs smoothly.
Who’s the Client, and Which Gold Mine is it?
If you want to know who the mystery client is, submit this form and we’ll reach out with all the juicy details. If you want more information on any parts or pricing, feel free to ask via the form as well.