Testimonials
World's largest borate mine in California enhances maintenance with a new lubricant storage system.
key takeaways
Challenge
The borate open pit mine has enhanced its maintenance procedures by implementing a “Best Practices” Reliability Program, initiated through Noria training, focusing on the use of clean, dry lubricants for sustainable equipment performance.
LE solution
A new lubricant storage facility was equipped with advanced contamination control systems, including Tote-A-Lube storage, Xclude® breathers, Xtract® filter carts, and Xpel® containers, to maintain ISO Cleanliness Code values and ensure efficient lubricant transfer.
Customer Profile
This is the world’s largest borate open pit mine and ore refining facility. It is located in California’s Mojave Desert. They have been an LE customer for more than 30 years.
Challenge
Over the past several years, this borate open pit mine has been implementing “Best Practices” into their maintenance procedures. They were introduced to these practices by plant personnel attending Noria training, where a decision was made by maintenance management to begin a “Best Practices” Reliability Program. They understood for the program to succeed and be sustainable, it must start with clean, dry lubricants properly stored and monitored. It would then need to be delivered to the plant equipment in the same clean and dry conditions.
LE Solution
A decision was made to employ a comprehensive effort to furnish a brand new lubricant storage facility with the latest in contamination control equipment. This included Tote-A-Lube bulk storage systems, Xclude® breathers for the TAL systems, dedicated Xtract® filter carts for each type of lubricant (synthetic EP gear oil, mineral EP gear oil, anti-wear hydraulic mineral oil, R&O mineral oil), which are used to both transfer the new incoming bulk lubricants to the Tote-A-Lube system containers and providing monthly filtration of the stored new lube to ensure the target ISO Cleanliness Code values were being maintained. Lube oil is then transferred to the machine applications in color-coded Xpel® containers. The pictures in this report speak volumes for the efforts and dedication by the entire reliability/maintenance team.