What do you do if your mining equipment maintenance is inefficient and needs problem solving skills?
In the mining industry, efficient maintenance of equipment is crucial for operations to run smoothly. However, when maintenance practices fall short, it's essential to apply problem-solving skills to identify and rectify the issues. A proactive approach can minimize downtime, reduce costs, and maintain safety standards. As a mining engineer, you're often tasked with finding solutions to complex problems, and maintenance inefficiency is a challenge that requires technical knowledge and strategic thinking.
Before diving into solutions, it's important to thoroughly assess the current maintenance processes. This involves analyzing maintenance logs, understanding the frequency of breakdowns, and identifying patterns that may suggest underlying problems. You should also evaluate the skills of the maintenance team and the resources available to them. This initial assessment will provide a clear picture of the inefficiencies and areas that require immediate attention.
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Son varios los factores implicados a tomar en cuenta, pero considero el mas importantes es conocer las competencias de su equipo de trabajo, capacitar y desarrollar las habilidades del equipo y partiendo con eso, el equipo estará en condiciones de hacer evaluaciones mas precisas y esto llevara a una disminución de la frecuencia de averías habiendo los recursos disponibles para ello.
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Para poder tomar desiciones y estrategias. –Debemos analizar los reportes de los equipos. –Basado en la incidencia determinar un plan. –Estar al día con las capacitaciones y habilidades técnicas que requieren según los equipos que tengan en la mina. No debemos olvidar que en ocasiones, no solo se trata de habilidades técnicas. Las habilidades blandas son importantes y determinarán el estilo de capacitación que requieren los colaboradores.
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Investir principalmente em treinamento e aperfeiçoamento do pessoal de manutenção. Se antecipar aos defeitos e amenizar os defeitos crônicos. Focar em Manutenção preditiva e Preventiva é a melhor forma de se evitar defeitos que causem impactos operacionais. Criar uma rotina de inspeção e análise micro é um grande diferencial.
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Stop chasing breakdowns. Look at maintenance logs and identify machines prone to issues. Schedule proactive maintenance to replace worn parts before they fail. Early detection is key. Ensure that your mechanic has the training and tools to diagnose problems effectively. Consider predictive maintenance technologies that monitor equipment health and catch issues early. Analyze repair times, parts usage, and downtime causes. This data can expose inefficiencies and areas for improvement. Identify spare parts that are rarely used and optimize inventory.
Once the assessment is complete, pinpoint the specific issues causing inefficiency. These can range from outdated equipment, inadequate training of personnel, or even a lack of proper maintenance schedules. By identifying the root causes, you can focus your problem-solving efforts on the most impactful areas. Remember, the goal is to establish a more reliable and effective maintenance routine.
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Outdated paper logs make tracking issues and trends a nightmare. Invest in a digital CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System). It lets you schedule tasks, track parts inventory, and analyze maintenance history – all in one place. Your mechanics are the ones on the front lines, so listen to their feedback! Addressing these issues directly keeps them motivated and repairs efficient. Finally, focus on preventive maintenance, not reactive repairs. Don't wait for a breakdown to fix a problem. Regular inspections, oil changes, and filter replacements catch small issues before they snowball into major downtime. Think of it like car maintenance – a stitch in time saves nine (and a fortune in repairs)!
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Para la identificación adecuada de los problemas es prudente tomar toda la información detallada de los análisis de las bitácoras de mantenimiento junto una inspección metódica en campo y un correcto análisis también de los costos de mantenimiento de cada activo, toda esta información junta son de mucha ayuda para identificar el problema
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Developing a plan for improvement is the next step. This plan should include both short-term fixes and long-term strategies to overhaul the maintenance system. Consider introducing new maintenance protocols, investing in training for your team, or upgrading to more reliable equipment. The plan should be detailed, with clear objectives, timelines, and responsibilities assigned to ensure accountability.
Developing a plan for improvement is the next step. This plan should include both short-term fixes and long-term strategies to overhaul the maintenance system. Consider introducing new maintenance protocols, investing in training for your team, or upgrading to more reliable equipment. The plan should be detailed, with clear objectives, timelines, and responsibilities assigned to ensure accountability.
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There has to be a commitment from top down to rationalize the equipment maintenance plan. We know that getting the product out of the ground or getting the asset constructed takes priority because the revenue stream must be maintained. Unfortunately, to do that, we often keep equipment running past the scheduled maintenance time frames, and run it into the ground. The solution to this is having more spares available, so that equipment can come out of the rotation in a timely planned way, and maintenance can be completed. This may seem like we are increasing costs because we are buying expensive equipment - but in fact we are spending a lot more when we are dealing with broken equipment and crews that are standing idle waiting for it.
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First, get your team involved. Hold meetings to brainstorm what's causing the problems. Listen to their pain points - they're the ones on the ground. Next, analyze maintenance data to see which breakdowns are most common and costly. Target those issues first. Also train your crew on proper maintenance procedures and empower them to identify potential problems. A well-trained and informed team is your best defense against breakdowns. Finally, be realistic. Big overhauls are great, but sometimes small changes can make a big difference. Focus on the improvements that will get you the biggest bang for your buck, and build from there.
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Para mejorar un plan de mantenimiento es correcto tomar cómo punto de partida las recomendaciones de tiempos a intervenir un equipo realizadas por el fabricante de los equipos, luego de ello se toma los tiempos entre falla actuales y sobre se puede trazar una línea base de un mejor plan de mantenimiento.
Implementation is critical and often the most challenging part of the process. To ensure success, communicate the changes clearly to your team and provide the necessary support during the transition period. It's also vital to monitor the implementation closely to address any issues promptly and adjust the plan as needed. A smooth implementation will set the foundation for lasting improvements in maintenance efficiency.
After implementing changes, it's crucial to monitor the results closely. Use key performance indicators (KPIs) to track improvements in equipment uptime, maintenance costs, and response times to breakdowns. Regular monitoring allows you to verify the effectiveness of your solutions and make data-driven decisions for continuous improvement.
Finally, be prepared to adjust your strategy based on the monitoring results. Continuous improvement is a hallmark of efficient operations, and as new challenges arise, your approach must evolve. Keep an open mind to new ideas and technologies that could further enhance your maintenance practices and ensure your mining operations remain competitive and safe.
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It is not only a question of eliminating the obstacles encountered during maintenance, but also of solving the problems related to the maintenance of mining equipment. It is a strategic process that makes it possible to make informed decisions, minimize risks, and optimize the team's performance and the efficiency of this equipment.
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por experiencia propia generalmente los equipos de mantenimiento (técnicos mecánicos, eléctricos,electronicos, hidráulicos , etc ) están fallando en dar respuestas el problema es la cabeza o falta de capacitación de los mencionados, por lo que habría que analizar en que estaría fallando el equipo que hace estos mantenimientos y sacar conclusiones todo de una manera rápida para volver a estar al 100 por ciento de confiabilidad y operativos
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Proceso de mtto. actual: Gran posibilidad de que los equipos estén en una atapa de desgaste mucho mas avanzado, y el proceso de mtto aun no se ajusta al requerimiento real. Generar revisiones periódicas con personal experto y traspasar la información a fin de consenso entre turnos. Registros de mtto.; Real, detallado y nunca olvidar dejar las observaciones aunque sean mínimas. Frecuencia averías: Posible falla en la OOPP, sacrificar equipos, no alternarlos, sobre exigir cargas y potencia en función de cumplir metas que no se pueden lograr sabiendo la capacidad máxima de cargas-
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