MINE MAINTENANCE
that regularly interact with Weir process and maintenance specialists that allows the company to keep making these digital advancements , according to Eskola .
The NEXT platform is both scalable and modular , with Weir having eyes on the possibility of integrating different data sources into the ecosystem it is continually expanding .
“ The incorporation of telemetry data could , for instance , enrich that maintenance data ,” Eskola says . “ The same is true when it comes to data from Enterprise Resource Planning ( ERP ) systems . By combining all of this in one virtual space – where we can process information in the Cloud and on the Edge – we can provide even more powerful insights to our customers .”
Equipment adjustment automation is one element already slated for the Uptime package within NEXT , but Eskola also mentions the potential to use its existing data sources and the integration of different ERP systems to automate data flows between the systems . This could potentially result in the automation of spare parts ordering to help optimise customers ’ supply chains and reduce lead times .
Such automation probably lies in a new digitally-enabled business model where Weir takes on part of the operational risk for its clients based on them subscribing to higher levels of digitally-connected service and maintenance agreements , but , given the platform is called NEXT , it is hardly surprising there is more potential on the cards .
“ By integrating data within the Uptime and Production packages – it could be wear measurement on the pump impeller and throatbush , for example – we can build insightful predictive models to help predict and prolong operational life of components ,” Eskola says . “ An automated adjustment in this context could be adjusting the throatbush on a Warman pump to reduce recirculation and minimise component wear , and this data would then be used as an input for process simulation and optimisation to maximise the throughput and minimise the energy consumption .”
It ’ s easy to see these predictive models moving into the digital twin scenario where customers can experiment with , say , increasing production to take advantage of higher commodity prices and trading off increased revenue generation with the potential of increased component wear .
Yet all of this ‘ digital enablement ’ brings with it a set of cybersecurity risks ; something Weir is abundantly aware of .
“ We are very much promoting the integration of different systems between different vendors as that is how to get the most value out of the data , but we are promoting this at the same time as using a multi-layered security framework that includes elements like encryption , network segmentation and intrusion detection systems to adhere to industry-best practices ,” Eskola said .
“ This consideration becomes more important every year and is something we keep investing in , so our clients know that their data is safe within our platforms .”
Making a positive difference
With the recent inauguration of its Global PerformanceIQ Hub in Salt Lake City , USA , FLSmidth decided to bring its PerformanceIQ services to a global client base .
Launched at the PERUMIN conference in 2022 , PerformanceIQ services were promised to “ supercharge mine performance through a full flowsheet approach to optimisation based on equipment knowledge , process expertise and digital solutions ”. The company says the services have since gone on to provide a positive impact on performance and productivity in the regions where the services have been launched .
Combined with the on-site service teams and global services centres , FLS says the Global PerformanceIQ Hub will make it possible to maximise the potential of plant operations globally through this offering .
Joshua Meyer , Service Business Line President at FLSmidth , said the new hub gives the company one location to carry out all of its global monitoring , bringing it all together in a single location . “ It allows us to combine the knowledge and intellect from the human side of our business with all of the sensors and capabilities embedded within the equipment itself ,” he told IM .
These PerformanceIQ services are currently only available to operations in South America , yet , over the space of just over two years , FLSmidth has transitioned from trials and pilots to commercial installations with over 10 customers and more than 20 projects .
FLS says the Global PerformanceIQ Hub will make it possible to maximise the potential of plant operations globally through the PerformanceIQ offering
Meyer is expecting this to accelerate from here – in South America and in new markets such as North America and Asia Pacific .
The new hub in Salt Lake City is also expected to lead to further PerformanceIQ contracts being won , according to Meyer .
“ The same information that can be seen in Salt Lake City is also available at a local level , allowing these discussions to happen between these local and global teams ,” he explained . “ So , if there are things that are happening at an asset health level or asset optimisation level , there can be an exchange of views as to what the root cause is and how it should be best rectified .
“ The reason to place this hub in Salt Lake City was predicated on the amount of global expertise we have sitting here . We have our metallurgical lab and digital services group here to allow that meeting of the minds from a global perspective , if and when issues arise .”
The expectation is that this wealth of knowledge will be harvested and used to improve decision making for clients and increase both equipment uptime and performance .
This evolution of the company ’ s service offering comes at the same time that Meyer and his team are acknowledging a more concerted move by industry towards predictive maintenance models in the process plant .
“ On the mobile equipment side of mining , this type of thinking has become much more integrated in the way mine sites operate their mobile equipment ,” Meyer said of predictive maintenance strategies . “ I see predictive maintenance and a desire to leverage predictive capabilities absolutely being a trend in the plant , but I think there will still be some reliance on waiting for early indicators .”
22 International Mining | JANUARY 2025