Main image credit: 

It is an obvious statement that across the board, unplanned downtime in mining is a major costly issue. There are a whole range of factors that lead to downtime throughout the entire mining operation, but here we’re focusing on mobile equipment. 

Unplanned downtime for a machine such as the Hitachi EX3600 can result in significant financial losses, ranging from thousands to millions of dollars per hour depending on the operation. Breaking that down, the harsh conditions known to mining often lead to accelerated wear and tear on machinery, causing breakdowns or significant damage to external components which force the machine out of operation.

The cost of downtime goes beyond the immediate loss of production. It disrupts the entire workflow, impacts supply chains, and ultimately strains relationships with clients and stakeholders. The longer a machine is out of operation, the more severe these effects become, leading to substantial financial repercussions for mining companies. 

Minimising unplanned machine downtime is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in the industry. It requires proactive maintenance strategies, efficient supply chains for replacement parts, and a rapid response to machine failures. Sites that can effectively reduce downtime not only save money but also improve overall operational efficiency and productivity.

ROX Mining Parts, a division of Bend-tech, understands these key factors of minimising downtime. The ROX team are committed to ensuring downtime is kept to an absolute minimum and are focussed on achieving the mission of being the relied upon, preferred supplier for mining equipment replacement parts globally. 

We specialise in providing fenders, guards, travel motor covers, handrails and more for Hitachi excavators, critical components that often contribute to unplanned downed machines. We currently have fenders and guards for the EX-6 range (EX1900 through to EX8000) in stock and are not far away from achieving the same for the EX-7 range. 

We also specialise in providing OEM replacement parts for CAT machines, both open cut and underground, such as fuel tanks, ladder conversions, fenders, guards and handrails. The ROX team have been working closely with teams on site to understand the pain points and the ‘ideal’ process of fuel tank repair, replacement, stock, and installation. 

We provide value that is unrivalled in the industry when it comes to ROX fuel tanks. All tanks come complete with all fitting components, with optional features such as our Armour Flex coating for enhanced protection, a certified transport and installation frame for maximised safety and efficiency, and a range of fast-fill fuel injection options to suit your sites requirements. 

The key advantages that ROX has in the industry are on the back of the extensive design, engineering and construction capability and experience, as well as dedicated R&D, Fabrication, Project Management, Sales and Marketing teams. All ROX parts are engineered and certified to replace existing OEM parts and are often built with design enhancements to ensure longevity and maximise safety and efficiency.

Local Supply for Faster Solutions
Our local presence allows us to deliver replacement parts faster than OEMs, reducing the time your machines are out of operation. We understand the urgency of getting your equipment back up and running, and our efficient supply chain ensures minimal disruption to your operations. 

Quality Parts for Long-Term Performance
ROX Mining Parts delivers products made in Australia to OEM standards and beyond. Our commitment to quality ensures that our components are durable and reliable, minimising the risk of future breakdowns and extending the life of your machinery.

On-Site Support for Maximum Efficiency
The ROX team is available to discuss your requirements and provide on-site support to help you optimise your operations. By working closely with your team, we can identify potential issues before they result in downtime, ensuring that your machines operate at peak performance.

Dedicated Team
Our dedicated R&D, fabrication, project management, sales and marketing teams are all focussed on improving every aspect, from design enhancements to effective communication with site.

Reducing downtime is essential for maximising efficiency and profitability in the mining industry, and this is the core reason for ROX’s existence. The team are always heading out to site to discuss requirements so get in contact if you require a visit, and see our full range of OEM replacement parts here.

Main image credit: 

Mine safety has always been a top priority, and one company that is gaining attention for making a significant impact in this area is Advanced Fleet Signs (AFS). Known for their innovative Rock Board^® LED Fleet Identification products, AFS is redefining vehicle identification for mine fleets. So, what makes LED fleet identification revolutionary? Why is it essential for mine vehicles? It all comes down to night operations, harsh weather, low lighting conditions, visibility, and durability. 

Since 2013, Damien Russell, a former mine diesel fueler, has been perfecting fleet identification solutions to meet the safety demands of the mining industry. After years of innovation and fine-tuning, Rock Board^® is finally receiving the recognition it deserves. Based in Canning Vale, Perth, Australia, AFS is a small but impactful manufacturing company now poised for global reach.

There are currently four widely recognized methods for displaying vehicle ID numbers in the mining industry: 

1. Vinyl or Reflective Stickers – These are the most used but suffer from visibility issues in low-light conditions. 
2. Paint on Vehicle Frames – A traditional method that lacks flexibility and visibility in dark environments. 
3. LED Digital Displays – These offer electronic vehicle ID displays but rely entirely on power and are rendered useless when vehicles are powered off. 
4. Metal Cut-Outs – Durable but difficult to see in poor lighting or bad weather.

The 5^th method is Rock Board^® products. Rock Board^® combines the best of LED and reflective technologies, offering a highly visible and backlit display ID, housed within a protective casing that bolts onto vehicles. This blend of features makes Rock Board^® the ideal choice for fleet identification in the mining industry.

Here’s a look at how Rock Board^® stacks up against other methods:

One of the standout features of Rock Board^® is that it remains readable even when LED bulbs are damaged. This advantage, combined with its durability and visibility, makes it the safest and most reliable option for harsh mining environments.

AFS offers two key types of Rock Board^® products: custom and modular displays. Custom ID characters have been the standard for years, but AFS’s innovation is the modular number boards. With modular systems, fleet managers can set and change the vehicle ID as needed, reducing the risk of errors, call-backs, and downtime. Fleet managers are able to hold stock of Rock Board^® products making them readily available.

AFS provides a comprehensive range of Rock Board^® products, available in various sizes and shapes to suit all fleet needs. Options include double-sided displays, landscape/portrait formats, and even 360-degree triangle displays that ensure full visibility from any angle.

AFS's Rock Board^® products have gone global, with a presence in key mining regions including Australia, USA, South Africa, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Canada, and several countries across Africa and South America. With a growing network of distributors, AFS products are now easily accessible worldwide, supporting mine safety on a global scale. You can find a full list of distributors on their website: AFS Distributors.

At the core of AFS's vision is the belief that clear vehicle identification can drastically improve safety on mine sites. Whether it’s preventing accidents, enabling two-way communication between vehicles, or improving the efficiency of operations, AFS is committed to setting new standards for safety and visibility in the mining industry.

As mining operations continue to expand and evolve, AFS’s Rock Board^® LED identification systems are helping mines worldwide adopt safer practices. By improving visibility, especially in challenging conditions like low light, heavy rain, or fog, Rock Board^® ensures fleet safety is maintained 24/7.

Mine vehicle identification has been around for decades. The same methods have been put to practice but the market is changing with the new innovative Rock Board^® underdog method. If your mine or fleet is looking to improve safety, efficiency, and compliance, check out AFS and their world-class LED vehicle identification solutions. 

Find your local distributor and join the many mining companies already benefiting from AFS's products today. Explore more here.