A core fundamental of oil management is to rationalize the number of lubricants and lubricant packaging. The Total mining team has observed that this can result in savings up to 17 % of your total oil cost! This is done through savings in physical inventories, costs associated with handling, spoilage, theft, storage space and stock obsolescence.
One way in which Total can help is to go through your lubricant range at site and select the most appropriate lubricant to cover as many applications as possible. One example of this is where Total has developed the TP Star Max lubricant which is suitable for engine, hydraulic and transmission systems thus reducing the need to store 3 different lubricants on site whilst still meeting the required OEM specifications.
Another way is to standardize your oil packaging wherever possible: Do you really need the same product in pails, drums, Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC’s) and bulk? Too many options can result in increased costs and duplication of effort. A thorough look at where and how each pack size is being used and dispensed will allow you to reduce the number of disposable packs. Not only will you simplify your ordering processes, but you will also free up valuable storage space and reduce your cost of working capital.
Contamination control is often overlooked when considering why premature failure occurred or why lubricant life has been diminished. The two primary contaminants in oil are dirt (environmental dust) and moisture. When oil is contaminated, it accelerates wear which can result in early breakdown, thus leading to significant increase of the operating cost.
Thus, maintaining clean oil is a key investment initiative for mining companies. Total suggests using contamination control techniques such as desiccant breathers on bulk and intermediate containers as well as filtration on bulk fluid dispensing. The use of filtration on fluid dispensing on IBC and Drums can also be applied.
The benefits of sound contamination control in lubricants will extend the life of lubricated equipment and reduce overall maintenance costs.
The aim of oil analysis is to get a “snap shot” of the condition of both the lubricant and the equipment at a point in time. Used over a period of time, used oil analysis allows predictive maintenance which helps you to know when to plan your maintenance operations at the optimal moment. It also allows you to optimize your oil change frequency, to avoid costly emergency repairs, and to increase lifespan of your machines.
For example Total ANAC Laboratories perform over 200,000 diagnostics each year for mining companies and other automotive and industrial customers. All that is required is to collect the oil sample at regular intervals (without having to stop the machine!) and send it to Total’s oil analysis laboratory using the ANAC analysis kit. ANAC automatically sends a full comprehensive report via email with the analysis of the sample. This report can also be viewed over the internet.
Contact Total to find if there is an ANAC lab in your region.
When a 205 litre container or a 1000 litre container (IBC) has reached the end of its product shelf life, its use can have detrimental effects on your equipment. The product should be discarded which comes with increased cost. This can be attributed to the term “obsolescence cost” and it occurs when proper storage practices are not in place.
Total suggests a First-In-First-Out (FIFO) approach to storage of lubricants on site. Improving overall warehouse management of stored products as well as a FIFO approach to product storage will help reduce these obsolescence costs. Total’s site facility audit can help identify areas of improvement.
Total employs lubricant specialists to assist Total’s clients in identifying areas of improvement that contribute to cost saving initiatives. For example, replacing just one lubricant with another can contribute to the reduction of many different types of costs. These may include:
Total Mining Solutions (TMS) employs skilled personnel from the mining sector who can audit your mine site and suggest solutions in reducing total operating costs. Today, TOTAL supplies fuel, lubricants and associated services to over 200 mining sites in over 40 countries.
With decades of reliable supply and value added services to its clients, TMS has become the partner of choice to mining companies.
Contact Total Mining Solutions