ExxonMobil Helps Mining Company Save Estimated USD
JOHANNESBURG, SA – The introduction of ExxonMobil’s high performance synthetic grease Mobilith SHC™ 220, has delivered significant performance benefits for a Brazilian mining company, leading to an estimated cost saving of USD$4.2M over four years* . This advanced grease is part of ExxonMobil’s comprehensive range of high performance lubricants which have been designed to help optimise the productivity and efficiency of mine site operations when compared to conventional greases.
The mining company operates a fleet of 19,000 open gondola cars which have a total of 152,000 roller bearings across the fleet. Carrying an average of 465,000 tons of iron ore per day, the axle bearings are commonly subjected to temperatures as high as 90ºC (194ºF). These severe conditions can cause reduced lubricant viscosity and leaks within the bearing assembly, leading to premature bearing failure.
Since implementing Mobilith SHC 220, the mining company has seen a reduction in the operating temperature of the bearings from 90ºC (194ºF) to 70ºC (158ºF). It has also reported that the grease’s high viscosity index oil has helped to reduce equipment wear and corrosion. As a result, it has been able to safely extend equipmentbearing life by 43%, dramatically reducing the need for replacement parts and maintenance-related labour. The mining company estimates a USD$4.2M saving over a four year period as a result of these benefits.
“In these challenge economic times, a small thing such as switching to a high performance lubricant can make a huge difference to a mine site’s productivity and profitability,” said Mohamed Mourad, EAME Industrial Marketing Advisor at ExxonMobil. “We have worked closely with mining professionals for more than 50 years to obtain the necessary insights required to formulate products that help to maximise productivity in a safe and cost-efficient way.”
Mobilith SHC 220 is a high performance synthetic grease designed to perform in demanding applications and at extreme temperatures. It is part of a comprehensive offer to the mining industry, which includes:
• Mobil SHC™ 600 Series – Mobil SHC 600 oils can deliver a service life up to six times longer than competitive, mineral oil based, gear and bearing lubricants. In independent university laboratory testing, and statistically validated field tests, the Mobil SHC 600 Series have demonstrated their ability to deliver an energy saving of up to 3.6 percent**.
• Mobil DTE 10 Excel™ Series - High performance hydraulic oils that provide long oil life and help minimise deposit formation in severe hydraulic systems. In controlled laboratory efficiency testing, Mobil DTE 10 Excel was measured to provide up to a 6 percentimprovement in hydraulic pump efficiency***.
• Mobil Delvac™ - Mobil Delvac 1™ ESP is a fully synthetic, high performance heavy-duty diesel engine oil that helps extend engine life while providing long drain capability and potential fuel economy for modern diesel engines operating in severe off-highway applications. It maintains outstanding performance at significantly higher temperatures than other high-performance diesel engine oils. It is also fully compatible with conventional oils.