In the mining industry, the pressure to reduce operating costs has led to some plants cutting back on maintenance, even though this could lead to higher long-term costs. Mark Baller, MD of Weba Chute Systems, warns that this is particularly true when it comes to material transfer chutes systems.
Cutting back on maintenance often focuses on reducing the cost of individual parts, rather than the overall cost of ownership. This can lead to inappropriate cuts and additional future costs. Baller says that sourcing cheaper alternatives is not a long-term solution for saving costs in the plant.
In some cases, damage from inferior components has been seen within the first few months of installation and resulted in significant unplanned expenses for production and repair. Weba Chute Systems, on the other hand, are specifically designed to control the flow of material being transferred, resulting in high equipment availability of 90-95%. Modifying an existing chute system will negatively impact its performance, leading to issues such as increased friction, blockages, and downtime.
Baller suggests that in these tough times, OEM suppliers and customers should work together to maintain the sustainability of the operation. By communicating and tailoring maintenance programs to individual needs and budgets, equipment can be kept in optimal condition. Collaboration is key to finding a solution that benefits the customer while still being cost-effective and high-quality.
Customers invest in Weba Chute Systems because of the long-term benefits to their bottom line. Using an inferior maintenance system would risk these advantages, says Baller.
#materialhandling #maintenance #roi #transferchute #miningequipment