Joint enhancement of mine operations and maintenance: A structured analysis approach

A good working relationship between the operations and maintenance departments is fundamental to the overall success of a mine. Unfortunately, the need for high productivity, coupled with a usually harsh physical environment that pushes a mine's equipment to the limits of its design capacity, result in a high-stress work environment making cooperation between these interdependent groups difficult. Rather than trying to resolve these issues through the blind application of new technology, this research suggests that a shared understanding of the joint information requirements of these two groups is a prerequisite step necessary to improve their business processes. Without this understanding, decisions concerning the application of new technology to the mining industry will continue to be based on functional boundaries that may improve departmental efficiency, but reduce overall mine effectiveness.; Using the Case Study approach, the structured analysis methodology is shown to be an effective way to gain this understanding. The methodology is applied to heavy truck maintenance and the production planning process for an open pit mine. In both cases, qualitative and quantitative benefits resulting from improvements made to these processes are presented. The most significant improvements are based on better communications through shared information. Generalisations on how this methodology can be applied to mining situations, other than open pit, are also included.