INTERNET OF THINGS
program that helps our mine operate at the lowest cost per hour. One of the key points is that Dingo and Trakka help us manage risk by continuously assessing the condition of each component. We use this information to ensure we hit availability targets and deliver our mine plan.”
Advanced vibration analysis
Predictive maintenance vibration analysis offers many benefits across multiple industries, including mining operations. Quick and early detection of problems and faults in complex machinery like conveyors is crucial to the smooth operation, reliability, and safety of mining operations and coal distribution. Safety in a coalmining environment remains a paramount concern for miners and operators: the flammability of coal dust and the dangers of underground mining require stringent care of machines and plant environment to preserve the safety and lives of workers.
Azima DLI analysts conducted a survey and analysis of a longwall mine’ s machinery as a demonstration of Azima DLI’ s predictive maintenance techniques. After building a database and conducting a single day of data collection, the analysts discovered serious damage on crucial conveyors.
“ Left unchecked, this problem would have inflicted severe damage on the conveyor and shut down the plant for at least a week. The damage would also expose the plant and its workers to the risk of fire or explosion. Azima DLI’ s fault detection averted a potential safety hazard and ensured continued production and distribution of coal. As a result, the mine instituted new measures to ensure smooth and efficient operation of the machinery as well as safety of personnel and property.”
The mine that invited Azima DLI to perform a demonstration analysis is an established longwall mining facility. Coal processing and production carries an inherent risk, since coal dust can be explosive, and processing facilities handle mountains of coal alongside a system of conveyors that transport the coal to transfer towers. Mechanical failure, whether under- or above-ground, could be catastrophic to production, as well as to human life and safety. To combat the mine’ s safety concerns, Azima DLI analysts were brought in to perform vibration analysis on their machinery. Analysts normally shy away from exploring complex machinery such as gearboxes and conveyors during a first-day demo, but the analyst recognised the crucial role of conveyors in this longwall mining facility and decided to tackle them anyway.
“ Within a single day, Azima DLI analysts caught two severe faults that had not been previously detected. If these faults had been neglected any longer, they could have resulted in catastrophic fire and explosion, risking lives and harming production.”
Azima DLI builds aggressive vibration analysis programs that target strategic points in machinery systems. Analysts place measuring point fixed pads, junction boxes, and remote sensors on machines, depending on the particulars of each machine. This ensures consistent and repeatable vibration test results.
After data is collected with a TRIO™ vibration analyser, it is transmitted to a cloud database where it is run through Azima DLI’ s automated diagnostic system and reviewed by a live analyst. A report of the findings, including actionable advice for faults detected, is posted to the WATCHMAN™ Reliability Portal and sent to the mine’ s staff in PDF format.
Quick and efficient vibration analysis allows on-site mechanics a greater window of time in which to plan repairs, allowing the mine more leeway to plan according to production needs. Azima DLI streamlines the monitoring process by training on-site personnel and mechanics to collect vibration data, improving the skill set of the client’ s employees and providing one more safeguard against machinery failure. Competent on-site personnel can be crucial to plant safety, especially in a volatile mining environment.
Azima DLI’ s vibration program also drives root cause analysis. Root cause analysis takes failure information and probes for the patterns and
EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE
First International Congress on Planning for Closure of Mining Operations
November 20 ~ 22
Hotel Grand Hyatt, Santiago, Chile
AREAS OF INTEREST
Design of mining operations for closure • Closure risk assessment • Physical stability of mine wastes • Chemical stability of mine wastes • Closure of tailing deposits • Open pit closure • Underground mine closure • Cost of closure • Stakeholder engagement in closure planning • Economic evaluation and funding of closure plans
Register in gecamin. com / planningforclosure chair Héctor Lagunas Environmental and Permits Manager, Cía. Minera Doña Inés de Collahuasi, Chile
co-chair David Mulligan Director of Environment Centres, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Australia
co-chair Hugo Maturana Director, Mine Engineering Department, Universidad de la Serena, Chile
ORGANIZERS INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS
MINNOVEX
P r o v e e d o r e s d e C l a s e M u n d i a l
44 International Mining | NOVEMBER 2016