Maintenance planning and optimal replacement of sub-assemblies for continuous miners

Abstract

This project will focus on designing maintenance and optimal replacement schedules for the sub-assemblies (subs) of the Continuous Miners (CM). The current method of determining when sub failures will occur is done on averages breakdowns which have shown in the past is not always the case. The current maintenance and replacement schedule for the subs is set up with incorrect data and guides management in the wrong direction when they draw up the annual budget for the CM. In the past it was found that the budget used for CM’s at Twistdraai mine was not accurate enough to cover all the expenditures the mine was forced to take. The maintenance and optimal replacement schedule will be designed to represent real-life sub breakdowns as far as possible. This will help management at Twistdraai mine to improve on the annual budget for the Continuous Miners. The improved maintenance and optimal replacement schedule will be able to guide the managers at Twistdraai mine to take better informed decisions concerning replacement and overhauling of subs.