LE Article: Crushing Downtime: How the Right Gear Oil Saved a Copper Mine Millions

Authored by Jim Thomas
Lubrication Engineers, USA

In the world of mining operations, equipment reliability is paramount. Primary crushers play a critical role in processing massive amounts of material, and any unplanned downtime can lead to significant production losses. However, lubrication challenges, particularly in the face of extreme pressures and contamination, often go overlooked, leading to costly failures.

This article, originally published in Global Mining Review, explores the impact of lubrication on crusher reliability, focusing on a South American copper mine that was experiencing repeated bushing failures. Despite using a premium gear oil, the mine’s crushers suffered catastrophic damage due to tramp metal ingestion, leading to costly rebuilds and increased downtime.

By switching to Duolec® Syn Gear Lubricant, a high-performance synthetic gear oil with proprietary extreme pressure additives, the mine eliminated these failures, reduced lubricant consumption, and achieved substantial cost savings. The findings in this article highlight the critical role of proper lubrication in extending equipment life, improving operational efficiency, and minimizing unplanned downtime in the mining industry.

Click the cover image below to access the full article.

Menu