9 Questions to Ask Before Selecting a Mining Equipment Supplier
The mining industry in Australia is a major contributor to the country’s GDP. The country is now one of the world’s major exporters of alumina, iron ore, coal, and a variety of other resources. In fact, the mining industry in Australia accounts for over 75% of the country’s total exports.
Learning about the practicality of your mining equipment, its long-term performance, and how to minimise machine downtime may not only assist you in running your business more efficiently but may also assist in avoiding unexpected and unnecessary expenditures. If you’re in charge of selecting a mining machinery supplier, the number of options available may appear overwhelming at first.
To help you out, we have compiled a list of some of the most important questions to ask while finding the right mining equipment supplier.
- Is the company known for having a good reputation?
Firms with a strong favourable reputation tend to attract more clients. You want to choose a company that has been in the industry for a long time and has earned a reputation for being trustworthy. This way, you can expect to work with the company for years to come.
- Is the company certified?
Rather than discovering later that your equipment may not be up to standard, it is advisable to double-check that your manufacturer has the necessary certifications and adheres to standards. To be used in underground coal and gassy subterranean metal mines, some mining materials must first be approved or certified by the government. The evaluation and testing of everything from little electrical gadgets to massive mining systems have taken place.
- Is the equipment reliable?
It is worth noting that mining equipment is a little different from other types of machinery because it depends on the type of mining in which it is employed. For example, when it comes to heavy-duty machinery such as a mining dump truck, the construction and mining site will not function properly if the vehicle needs repairs consistently.
Statistics show that maintenance costs in the mining industry can account for anywhere between 30 and 50 per cent of total operating expenditures, depending on the kind and age of the mine in question. The more reliable your equipment, the less likely it is that you will have to fix or replace it on a regular basis, saving you both time and money.
- Does the company employ quality control?
Maintaining all durable equipment in storage regularly and ensuring that the supplier performs regular maintenance inspections will prevent equipment failure during voting operations. It is also highly recommended that they have proper maintenance and testing plans for all durable equipment and that reports on results are brought to the attention of top officials from the electoral management body. Testing every piece of equipment before it is supplied to voting locations will also help to prevent the provision of ineffective equipment.
- Will the equipment increase efficiency?
Efficiency refers to the performance of activities with the least amount of resource waste. It also refers to the optimum utilisation of resources for the organisation to optimise its profit margins. Generally speaking, the more efficient a piece of equipment is, the greater its impact on decreasing operational time. In the mining industry, you should acquire equipment that will help ensure that everything is consistently functioning at peak performance levels.
- Can the equipment work in your specific mining location?
Rather than attempting to adapt something, you should look for materials tailored to your specific topography and climate. In particular, you should consider the topography of your extraction, processing, or final product removal processes. Whenever there is an incline or a decline, you will require conveyor belts and vibratory feeders capable of withstanding greater friction while maintaining a steady speed.
- Does the equipment help address your wants and needs?
It is critical to determine what equipment you require before beginning your search for service providers. Mining activities make use of sophisticated machinery. Although there are highly qualified professionals on-site, organisations do not always choose the most appropriate equipment for their particular operations.
It is necessary to note that each type of mining equipment is associated with a particular set of mining activities. When it comes to mining equipment, the most frequent types vary depending on whether the operation is done above or below ground and whether the material being mined is gold, metal, coal, or crude oil, among other things. From drilling machines to excavators and crushing and grinding equipment, there is something for everyone.
- Is the equipment durable?
In the mining business, there are a number of processes that can be problematic, especially if the activities are exposed to severe surroundings or weather conditions. As a result of these circumstances, numerous mining businesses are forced to spend a significant amount of time researching ways to reduce the costs of repairs and maintenance of mining equipment without compromising performance and reliability. One method of accomplishing this is to purchase long-lasting equipment. Not only that, but you should also think about whether the system will be able to adapt in the future.
- Will the equipment be hired or bought?
It’s a good rule of thumb to consider renting equipment if you don’t use it more than 60 to 70% of the time. Generally speaking, this will keep your expenditure low because you will not require more capital to manage and maintain it adequately. Meanwhile, you will be better off purchasing the item if you want to use it for a long time.
