An ideal lubrication program ensures consistent protection and performance of stationary mining equipment, in turn sustaining productivity and minimising financial losses. Shankar Karnik, General Manager - Industrial Lubricants, ExxonMobil Lubricants, elaborates more on the importance of effective lubrication and the company's products and services to the customers.

Infrastructure development and the demand for automotive products are major factors that are driving the growth of the metals and mining sector in India. To address the burgeoning demands of metal and steel, the Ministry of Steel aimed to increase the steel production capacity to 142.3 million tonne in 2017. This indicates a plethora of new opportunities in the sector, creating new avenues for private companies to engage in mining activities for various commercial purposes.
As the overall productivity and profitability of a mining site is directly linked to the reliability of equipment, it is vital that operators have equipment that function at maximum efficiency. Such parameters for equipment performance become imperative for the operators to ensure advanced productivity, environment protection, and safe operation.

Effective lubrication
Extreme operating conditions
and rough terrain are common impediments when it comes to machine failure and unscheduled equipment downtime on the mining site. This has an invariable impact
on the seamless functioning of the machine and hence the overall profitability. This is why an effective lubrication program that can keep up with the dynamics and demands of the sector it caters to is quintessential. An ideal lubrication program would ensure consistent protection and performance of stationary mining equipment, in turn sustaining productivity and minimising financial losses.

Mobil industrial lubricants are specially formulated to protect equipment in the harshest conditions. Mobil's proven products and lubrication expertise keeps stationary and mobile equipment working at maximum efficiency, extending equipment life, oil drain intervals and improving the energy efficiency of the equipment.

Lubricants for mining industry
ExxonMobil offers a range of lubricants for the mining sector.
Mobilgrease XHP Mine Series: Mobilgrease XHP Mine Series has gained a reputation for innovation and performance excellence. This was specifically designed to meet the needs of off-highway and mining equipment that required exceptional EP/anti-wear performance and which would remain in place even in tough conditions of high sliding, and high temperatures. A few key features of the series are:

Five per cent MoS2 that gives excellent protection to bush and bucket pins which will enable long equipment life. This is the specification that is most preferred by OEMs.
EP and anti-wear properties offers equipment protection and potential equipment life extension even in severe operating conditions.

Low temperature pumpability and centralised system capability provides low temperature pumpability and start-up performance - a key feature for remote applications.

Mobil DTE 10 Excel Series: Mobil DTE 10 Excel Series, in spite of being a range of mineral hydraulic oils provide outstanding hydraulic system efficiency, ultra-clean performance, and a high degree of fluid durability. The hydraulic efficiency feature can lead to reduced energy consumption for both industrial and mobile equipment, reducing operating costs and improving productivity.

Mobil DTE 10 Excel Series oils are formulated to provide benefits such as:

Excellent air release property that prevents aeration and cavitation damage of the hydraulic pump. This helps minimise maintenance costs and downtime by keeping systems clean.

Potentially reduction of energy consumption or increase in system responsiveness.
Lower effect on the environment during disposal due to the oils being Zinc free.
High thermal and oxidation stability that ensures long oil life/long oil drain interval.

Mobil Delvac: Mobil Delvac
diesel engine oil is among the broad line of synthetic and high-performance mineral oil-based lubricants for the many specialised needs of the mining industry.

ExxonMobil Optimized Oil Drain Interval (ODI) process is driven by data, powered by Mobil Delvac lubricants and supported by the ExxonMobil team. This helps the operators to lower total operating costs, generate a higher return on capital and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.

The key feature of Mobil Delvac is its excellent detergency property, which provides clean engine performance to the customers.

Mobil SHC 600 Series: Mobil SHC 600 Series lubricants are exceptional performance, gear and bearing synthetic oils designed to provide outstanding service in terms of equipment protection, oil life and problem-free operation helping to enable increased customer productivity. These products are resistant to mechanical shear, even in heavily loaded gear and high shear bearing applications, so that there is virtually no loss of viscosity.

A few key features of that the series exhibit are:

• High viscosity index and absence of wax, which enables exceptional low temperature performance, including start-up.
• High temperature thermal/oxidation resistance that extends oil life and helps reduce maintenance costs.
• Balanced additive combination provides excellent performance in terms of rust and corrosion prevention, water separability, foam control and air release performance enabling problem-free operation in a wide range of industrial applications, and reduced operating costs.

Mobil Serv technical services
Mobil Serv Technical Services offer an extensive range of industrial services that are designed to help the customers optimise their lubrication programs and machine availability.
 
Mobil Serv Lubricant Analysis (MSLA): In addition to using high quality synthetic lubricants, it is recommended to operators to incorporate an oil and equipment condition monitoring program to maximise the productivity of machinery and reduce costs. MSLA enables companies to conduct virtually the entire process on their mobile or tablet device through scan-and-go oil sampling bottles. It provides informative reports on the condition of the equipment and lubricant.

Engine inspection: This service encompasses expert inspections by Mobil's well-trained engineers using borescopes and specialised tools that help diesel engines run efficiently with potentially extended life. The engineers use their expertise to inspect, report and document the condition of the internal components of diesel engines. They conduct complete engine inspections during engine overhaul and partial inspections during component replacement or repair.

Hydraulic inspection: This service details critical hydraulic equipment, revealing opportunities to improve performance. The engineers inspect, report and document the condition of your critical plant hydraulic systems. They use inspection data to establish the optimum time to replace critical hydraulic components such as pumps, valves, heat exchangers, filters and lubricants, and then recommend maintenance practices to help improve system reliability.

Lubricant recommendation: This service provides expert guidance in selecting the proper lubricants for the equipment, which can help minimise costly maintenance and repairs while providing optimum protection to the assets. Experienced ExxonMobil engineers assess current lubricants and recommend, when required, more effective product choices to help maximise equipment reliability for optimum productivity.
 
With the current pace of development of the mining industry, it is essential for operators to adopt, right lubrication practices to ensure productivity and profitability. ExxonMobil's offerings are developed specifically to address the requirements of this industry and to ensure steadfast growth for mining operators.


With the current pace of development of the mining industry, it is essential for operators to adopt, right lubrication practices to ensure productivity and profitability.

The energy efficiency of Mobil DTE 10 Excel relates solely to the fluid performance when compared to conventional Mobil branded hydraulic fluids. The technology used allows up to six per cent increase in hydraulic pump efficiency compared to Mobil DTE 20 series when tested in standard hydraulic applications under controlled conditions.

The energy efficiency claim for this product is based on test results on the use of the fluid conducted in accordance with all applicable industry standards and protocols. Results may vary based on operating conditions and equipment.