SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
Tru-Trac supports reliable conveyor performance through informed maintenance planning, accurate forecasting and access to the right parts at the right time.
Supply chain discipline is key to conveyor uptime
Extended conveyor stoppages - which can cost mines dearly in lost production - are often caused by critical replacement components not being readily available to maintenance teams. For this reason, effective supply chain management for conveyor components is increasingly recognised as a frontline reliability discipline rather than simply a back-office procurement function. A ccording to David Pereira, Head of Sales at cleaning systems and scrapers,” he notes. “When belts are not properly cleaned, carry-back and spillage quickly create operational and safety issues.”
Tru-Trac, ensuring that the right spares are available when needed is fundamental to supporting uptime and production targets. “Most mining operations depend heavily on reliable conveyor systems to keep material moving through crushing, screening, processing and shipping stages,” Pereira says. “Without the correct stock on site - or quickly accessible - mines face long lead times and the high cost of expediting components when failures occur.” He explains that the causes of conveyor stoppages are often surprisingly small - a failed idler, a worn scraper blade or poor belt alignment. While larger pieces of equipment such as crushers and mills typically receive the most attention in plant maintenance planning, conveyor systems consist of numerous smaller components that can have a disproportionate impact on production when they fail. “Among the most critical components are belt
When belts are not kept clean, a chain reaction can occur across the entire system. Spillage, belt misalignment and excessive wear often follow, resulting in additional maintenance requirements, safety risks and increased operating costs. However, Pereira emphasises that while holding spare parts is essential, simply stocking large quantities of components is not the solution. “Overstocking ties up capital, increases the risk of storing obsolete parts and often results in sites holding items that do not match the equipment installed,” he explains. “Instead, Tru- Trac works with mining operations to determine exactly which components should be kept on hand, based on the specific configuration and operating conditions of each conveyor system.” An effective stockholding strategy therefore
David Pereira, Head of Sales at Tru-Trac.
34 MODERN MINING www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | May 2026
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