General maintenance service providers often overlook the intricate engineering design of specialised on-mine equipment, leading to significant long term costs for mining operations. This issue extends to transfer chutes and other mining infrastructure, Farouk Abrahams, Sales Director at Weba Chute Systems, notes. He explains that poor maintenance typically results in unscheduled stoppages due to equipment failure,  compromising mining operations.

Abrahams points out that mines often outsource maintenance to general service providers in an effort to cut costs. Ironically, this approach often results in the opposite effect, with production revenue suffering due to these misguided cost-saving measures. He emphasises that inadequate maintenance undermines the value that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) promise.

“For Weba Chute Systems, our chutes are custom-engineered for specific duties; any shortcuts in maintenance, such as using inferior materials, can significantly reduce performance and lifespan. This can lead to costly operational consequences including increased impact on conveyor belts, resulting in damage, spillage at transfer points and higher dust emissions—all requiring immediate attention,” he says.

The value brought by OEMs extends beyond just the physical products they supply. OEMs bring a wealth of specialised experience to each product, adding considerable value to a mine’s overall efficiency, safety and profitability. Their deep understanding of the equipment's design and operational demands ensures maintenance performed will uphold the equipment's performance standards.

“This expertise translates into smoother mining operations, as our team’s extensive practice in the field allows them to guarantee the outcome of every intervention. The reliability offered by OEMs such as Weba Chute Systems, extends to the timely sourcing or delivery of spares and the convenient scheduling of necessary maintenance.”

Abrahams shares that poor maintenance can drastically reduce plant availability. For instance, by collaborating with a customer on maintenance, Weba Chute Systems was able to maintain plant availability as high as 98%. However, when the mine switched to a general contractor to save costs, availability plummeted to below 90%. Such a decline in performance can be catastrophic for a mine, with minimal operating expenditure savings far outweighed by revenue losses.

Moreover, the impact of inadequate maintenance on specialised equipment like transfer chutes can extend beyond immediate operational issues. The cascading effects of reduced equipment efficiency can strain other parts of the mining operation. “For example,” Abrahams says, “compromised chutes can lead to irregular material flow affecting downstream processes and equipment, increasing wear and tear and necessitating more frequent repairs and replacements. This not only disrupts production schedules but also inflates maintenance budgets.”

“When we maintain our own equipment, we uphold the high standards to which the equipment is designed and manufactured. This commitment ensures reliability and has earned our customers' trust, demonstrating the true value of specialised maintenance over general service providers,” he says. By ensuring that every component and material used meets the stringent requirements of the original design, OEM maintenance preserves the integrity and efficiency of the equipment, safeguarding the mine's operational continuity and profitability.

In addition, partnering with OEMs for maintenance can provide mines with access to the latest technological advancements and updates. OEMs are continually improving their designs and incorporating new technologies to enhance performance and efficiency. By engaging with the OEM for maintenance, mines can benefit from these innovations, ensuring their equipment will perform reliably.