Technology provides data, alerts and insights, but it cannot replace experience earned in the field. Across the mining industry, many critical maintenance and reliability decisions still depend on people who understand equipment, operating conditions and the realities of keeping production moving.

A maintenance team can see a warning light. A condition monitoring system can flag an abnormal reading. Oil analysis can reveal changes inside a machine. What happens next is where experience matters.

Digital technologies continue to play an increasingly important role in mining, but interpreting information, identifying risks and making informed decisions remain human responsibilities.

According to Dave Gons, National Manager Mining at FUCHS LUBRICANTS SOUTH AFRICA and Regional Mining Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, the most effective maintenance strategies combine technology with practical expertise.

"Technology and data play a critical role in improving visibility and decision-making," says Gons. "But the strongest outcomes come when those insights are combined with the expertise of people who understand the equipment, operating conditions and practical implications of change."

Information Is Only Part of the Picture

Mining operations generate more data than ever before, from equipment telematics and condition monitoring systems to maintenance management platforms.

The challenge is not collecting data, it is understanding what that data means.

Changes in operating temperature, wear patterns or lubricant condition do not always point to an obvious problem. Understanding the cause requires context, and that is where technical expertise remains essential.

"Not every issue presents itself in the same way," explains Gons. "The operating environment, equipment application and maintenance history all influence how a machine behaves. Experience helps bring those factors together."

Support That Extends Beyond the Product

Lubrication support today goes far beyond product supply. As equipment becomes more sophisticated and maintenance teams face increasing pressure to maximise asset performance, technical support plays a growing role.

FUCHS supports customers through a combination of field-based technical services, including roaming technicians who assist multiple operations, dedicated on-site personnel embedded within customer environments and specialised shutdown teams that support planned maintenance events.

Each plays a different role, but the objective is the same: helping customers make informed decisions that support equipment performance and operational continuity.

"The closer you are to the operation, the better your understanding of the challenges maintenance teams face every day," says Gons. "That allows for more meaningful support and faster problem-solving."

The Value of Being Present

Mining environments are constantly changing. Conditions shift, production demands fluctuate and equipment is often required to operate under challenging circumstances.

While remote support and digital tools have their place, there is significant value in having experienced people on site who can assess equipment firsthand and work directly with maintenance teams.

Often, the difference between a minor intervention and a major failure comes down to recognising a problem early enough to act.

"There is still no substitute for spending time on site, talking to customers and understanding how equipment is performing in the real world," says Gons.

Technology and Experience Work Best Together

The mining industry will continue to adopt technologies that improve safety, efficiency and maintenance planning. Yet the value of technical expertise remains unchanged.

The best maintenance outcomes are achieved when data-driven insights are paired with the experience needed to interpret them correctly.

For Gons, the future of mining reliability is not a choice between technology and people, it is about combining the strengths of both.

"Technology helps us make better decisions," he says. "People help ensure those decisions are the right ones."

Mining professionals interested in discussing these challenges with Dave Gons and the FUCHS Mining team can visit FUCHS at Electra Mining Africa 2026 in Hall 6 (previously Hall 5), Stand C21.

For more information explore FUCHS Mining Lubrications Solutions online, email ZA-contact-za@fuchs.com or connect via WhatsApp on 071 861 8844.

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