Mining equipment diagnostics in a mine shaft dewatering system – case study

Abstract

Maintenance issues in mines are particularly important due to the type and complexity of equipment in operation or working in hostile (even extreme) conditions. In this context, the need to ensure continuous/regular maintenance of machinery, identify potential hazards and ensure operational safety seems to be a challenge. Moreover, selecting an appropriate maintenance method is crucial for a mine, both economically and in technical/organizational terms. This study aims to present the preliminary results of diagnostic tests for pumps performing operational tasks in a mine shaft dewatering system. In addition, this study focused on a detailed discussion of the basic elements of the mine shaft dewatering system and the technical objects studied. A preliminary operational test plan for the investigated pumps operating in the mine shaft dewatering system is also presented. This enabled a discussion of the results obtained from the tests of the first quarter of 2023. The tests used three basic diagnostic methods: vibration analysis, thermal imaging and acoustic testing. Potential directions for further research in the analyzed area were also indicated.