Mining companies face wide-ranging challenges – categorized into environmental, social/diversity, or governance (ESG) – that represent an evolving set of standards used by socially conscious investors to determine where they invest. These standards drive significant changes in the mining industry and, by default, the mining equipment manufacturing industry. The profile of who operates and maintains mining equipment is changing and, as a result, so are safety considerations. Mining companies are being challenged to consider a holistic view of mine operations in relation to their environmental impact and, for underground mining specifically, are being driven toward electrification in order to achieve safety and emissions goals. Consequently, OEMs are being challenged to develop reduced or even zero-emissions versions of haul trucks and other equipment, and it’s to the benefit of OEMs to take measures to pre-empt any new regulations.
Filtration plays a key role in supporting OEM goals of better performance, reliability, and fuel efficiency, particularly in harsh mining environments. The Donaldson filtration range offers core filtration technologies that can be developed into customized solutions to meet the unique requirements of mining OEMs.
Air – Mines are often the most challenging filtration environment on Earth, producing every conceivable type and consistency of dust. This makes effective air-intake filtration critical to mining equipment operations: air filtration systems need to perform effectively and consistently in order to optimize equipment uptime. Mining OEMs also face several other unique challenges, including addressing the weight and handling of loaded filters during changeout and how to improve pre-cleaner maintenance in “sticky dust” situations.
To help address the environmental challenges the mining industry faces, OEMs might need air filters that reduce waste by lasting longer or that are metal-free, ready for incineration, and not landfills. Mining equipment manufacturers also need to develop equipment that allows for simple maintenance procedures, including reducing the effort required to replace and handle loaded air filters. Donaldson will work with mining OEMs to meet their needs and address these unique challenges.
Fuel – Environmental regulations now require greater engine efficiency and reduced emissions from mining equipment. Using high-pressure common rail (HPCR) injectors can improve fuel distribution efficiency, but this requires greater protection from water and particulate contamination in the fuel. To provide this protection, Donaldson offers filtration options like high-performing primary fuel filter water separator systems that features Synteq™ DRY coalescing technology. Plus, our secondary fuel filters with Synteq XP™ remove particulate contamination four times better than our competitors.
Hydraulics and Transmissions – Donaldson offers a range of innovative hydraulic systems solutions like Clean Seal to help hydraulic systems start clean. Alpha-Web™ media allows hydraulic systems to perform more efficiently for longer periods of time, and under the varied-flow operating conditions experienced by most heavy-duty mining equipment. Hydraulic reservoirs can be optimally sized for your platform by engineering the available space and integrating deaeration filtration.
Lube – Donaldson lube filtration options safeguard engines from contaminants while extending the life of oil and filters, saving on cost, space, and maintenance.
Predictive Maintenance – Our cloud-based Filter Minder™ Connect monitoring solution provides actionable data on both filter and oil condition. The data can be used to improve equipment uptime – essential for mining operations – and optimize filter use and predictive maintenance scheduling to reduce the total cost of ownership.
Highly customizable, industry-leading efficiency, built to your very specific needs while considering all the regulatory challenges you face. That’s the Donaldson value.
Under the earth, your challenges amplify. Efficiency is always vital to your operation, but there are outside forces you have to consider as well. Our highly customized filtration system designs factor in everything you face, all in the name of improving equipment performance and protection.
But our efficiency doesn’t end on the vehicle: The Donaldson distribution network ensures easy access to parts, offering support for both your manufacturing operations and/or your dealer-service parts network. We proactively anticipate challenges and work directly with your teams to solve problems. And we do it nearly everywhere in the world.
Our bottom line is your bottom line. Donaldson creates technical solutions that address real end-user needs. This creates differentiated value and revenue streams for your brand that help lower overall cost of ownership.