Application of quality management tools for evaluating the failure frequency of cutter-loader and plough mining systems

Abstract

Failure frequency in the mining process, with a focus on the mining machine, has been presented and illustrated by the example of two coal-mines. Two mining systems have been subjected to analysis: A cutter-loader and a plough system. In order to reduce costs generated by failures, maintenance teams should regularly make sure that the machines are used and operated in a rational and effective way. Such activities will allow downtimes to be reduced, and, in consequence, will increase the effectiveness of a mining plant. The evaluation of mining machines' failure frequency contained in this study has been based on one of the traditional quality management tools - the Pareto chart.