Flexible hose assemblies (FHAs) are the third most consumed product on a mine site. With this in mind, specialised hose and coupling supplier Jachris has identified improved on-site FHA management as a means to make a significant impact on a mine’s bottom line.
The solution takes the form of an innovative container hose workshop model whereby Jachris places stock of hydraulic hose and fittings, assembly equipment and technically competent staff on-site to service the FHA requirements of the mine on a consignment basis.
In addition, Jachris champions its safety, productivity and reliability hose management programme to maximise machine and plant up-time, thus improving productivity and reducing the human resource and environmental risks associated with hose failures.
“We subscribe to global fluid power association trends to only use hose and fittings manufactured by the same manufacturer. “We also believe in establishing long-term relationships with our manufacturers in a bid to avoid the pitfalls related to inconsistent supply,” says Jachris CEO Warwick Bouwer.
The company applies strict quality assurance and safety steps to ensure zero hose-related fatalities, consistent product supply and rapid response to stock-out situations, 100% FHA testing to ensure that each hose is free of any defects prior to dispatch, on-site assistance to ensure product or application compatibility and free on-site training of mine staff to ensure that FHAs are handled and installed safely and correctly.
As a means to better manage the useful life and subsequent replacement of FHAs, Jachris uses hydraulic hose and fittings manufactured by US industrial group Gates and an innovative radio frequency identity tracking system called Sentry ID.
Sentry ID consists of a rugged electronic tagging system, an intrinsically safe hand-held scanner/reading device and a user-friendly Web application. Together, these tools facilitate the capture and storage of key data sets relating to specific FHAs in operation and integrate the information with a customer’s specific key performance indicators.
“By linking a unique hose assembly code with a specific bill of materials and the respective tool or machine, Sentry ID enables the user to quantify and manage hose expenditure on each machine, identify problem areas and conduct meaningful FHA usage analysis,” Bouwer explains.
The result of the integrated approach, Jachris says, is improved equipment integrity, maximised production revenue, reduced cost of noncompliance, reduced unscheduled maintenance, reduced property damage and employee injury, reduced environmental clean-up and improved top and bottom line.
Jachris has successfully piloted its programme at First Quantum Minerals’ Kalumbila mine, in Zambia, with promising results. It also supplied the mine with products from its complete fluid transfer range, including industrial hose assemblies, machine refuelling equipment and various piping products. In addition, Jachris’ on-site team has carried out two lubrication circuit upgrades at Kalumbila’s sister mine in Zambia, Kansanshi, with excellent results.
Hall 6 Stand C20