Reliability-based risk assessment of auxiliary machinery in open-pit mines: A backhoe loader case study

Abstract

Numerous authors have demonstrated the effectiveness of the risk-based approach in the mining sector. However, the majority of earlier research has ignored the role that auxiliary machines, in total risk management play in favor of heavy machinery. This study aims to analyze backhoe loader maintenance data in order to offer a risk assessment approach for auxiliary machinery in open-pit mines. The severity, occurrence, and detection of failures were the three component indicators that together determined the overall risk, as per the FMEA method. The purpose of the Pareto chart was to grade the detection indicator by illustrating the failure type distribution and distinction. The downtime data statistical testing results enabled analytical calculation of the system's reliability and mean downtime, which in turn allowed for the evaluation of the frequency and severity of failures. As a result, a framework for evaluation was put out, supported by data that was gathered, and included a three-dimensional risk assessment matrix. The focus of further research efforts should be on expanding the present sample data in sense of quantity and also to analysis of other machines in the whole mining system.