SAVING MILLIONS WITH SMART SENSORS

ADVANCED IOT TECHNOLOGY AND PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE PREVENTED A SIGNIFICANT EQUIPMENT FAILURE AT A REMOTE WA COPPER MINE, SAVING BOTH TIME AND COSTS.

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Deep in Western Australia's mineral-rich mid-west, equipment reliability means the difference between profit and loss.

At one underground operation, a potential breakdown was recently averted through the consistent monitoring of cutting-edge sensor technology, showcasing how predictive maintenance is revolutionising mining practices.

Located in the mid-west region of Western Australia, the mine processes high-grade copper ore through massive SAG (semi-autogenous grinding) and ball mills that grind raw material into manageable sizes for downstream processing.

Essential for primary ore grinding, the SAG mills employ steel balls and ore to reduce large chunks into smaller, more manageable particles.

After initial grinding, ball mills further refine the material, ensuring optimal particle size for efficient mineral recovery.

An accredited WEG service partner and IoT provider, Electro Mechanical Repair WA said early detection systems are now essential for mill productivity and efficiency.

"The cost difference between planned and unplanned shutdowns isn't just significant," Electro Mechanical Repair WA energy optimisation specialist Rodney Nieuwstad told