The key benefits of preventative maintenance for the mining industry

Preventive maintenance

Think about the last time your car needed a maintenance check-up. If you're like most people, you’ll probably try to take it in for a service to identify any potential problems before they can arise. Preventive maintenance is the key to keeping your car running smoothly and preventing expensive repairs down the road. The same concept applies to the mining industry, since asset management plays a vital role in the overall financial performance of an operation, with mining maintenance services contributing anywhere from 20-50% of total incurred outgoing costs.

Corrective maintenance

Traditionally, many mining operations have opted for the more reactive methodology of corrective maintenance, running their equipment and machinery unchecked until failure occurs. This often leads to costly unplanned downtime and a significant loss in productivity. Preventative maintenance, on the other hand, is a proactive strategy designed to keep your mining equipment and machinery running smoothly and efficiently throughout its lifespan.

By implementing regular servicing and maintenance checks, you can identify potential issues early on and nip them in the bud before they have a chance to develop into bigger problems. This not only saves you money in the long run, but it also helps to improve safety and maximise production output. At Project Cranes and Rigging, we specialise in assisting clients with mine site maintenance and have taken a closer look at some of the key benefits of switching to a preventive maintenance approach on your mine site:

Lower maintenance costs

Addressing problems early on can often save money in the long run. Emergency maintenance on average can be anywhere from 3-9 times more expensive than planned maintenance. By failing to have an effective asset management or maintenance plan in place, the risk of experiencing an unexpected asset failure greatly increases. With preventative maintenance, you can safeguard against the likelihood of unexpected asset failure, extend the life expectancy of your equipment, and improve the overall efficiency of your fleet.

Reduced downtime

When mining operations schedule regular preventive maintenance checks, they're less likely to experience unexpected downtime due to equipment failure. This means that production can continue uninterrupted, resulting in improved overall productivity. A loss in productivity has a direct impact on the bottom line and profitability of a mining operation, and a consistent string of unplanned equipment failures can translate into a substantial financial loss.

Improved safety

As a high-risk working environment, safety is of paramount importance on a mine site. Regular maintenance can help to identify potential safety hazards before they become a problem and plays a key role in creating a safer work environment for employees. By having an effective preventative maintenance schedule in place, mining operators can cultivate a culture of safety, and protect against the risk of a severe or fatal accident occurring as a result of an unexpected machinery failure or another maintenance-related issue.

Your trusted partner for quality mining maintenance services

A preventative maintenance schedule can ensure your machinery and assets remain in working order and can help to improve safety, lower maintenance costs, and reduce downtime on your mine site. However, it's important to partner with an experienced and reputable mining maintenance contractor like Project Cranes and Rigging to get the most out of your preventative maintenance program.

We have a team of highly skilled and qualified technicians who have experience working on a wide range of open-cut mining and quarry sites For more information about our mining maintenance services or to request a quote, contact us today.