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ExxonMobil has helped a gold mine in the US save more than US$1.1 million by switching to its premium hydraulic oil, Mobil DTE 10 Excel 46.
The lubricant helped optimise the performance of two 250t capacity Terex excavators, helping to boost productivity, save fuel and enhance safety.
The mine operator previously used a conventional hydraulic oil on the two Terex O&K RH 340 hydraulic excavators. But frequent failures due to cavitation damage and the effects caused by seasonal temperature swings meant the company had to replace 52 main hydraulic pumps at US$54,000 each over a 40-month period.
ExxonMobil field engineers partnered with the mine in California to identify a lubrication solution capable of mitigating equipment failure and cutting costs. The team recommended transitioning to Mobil DTE 10 ExcelTM 46 premium hydraulic oil.
Formulated with a proprietary additive system, the oil’s high viscosity index and strong shear stability means it offers wide temperature range performance and can help optimise machinery operating in the toughest of conditions.
The mine operator reported that Mobil DTE 10 ExcelTM 46 helped eliminate oil-related hydraulic pump failure. This helped improve productivity, while enhancing safety as 160 hours of human-machine interaction were eliminated as a result. Additionally, the lubricant helped reduce fuel consumption by 21,450 gallons (81,200L), lowering CO2 emissions by 216t.
These improvements helped generate a company estimated annual cost saving of more than US$1.1 million.
Mohamed Mourad, industrial marketing advisor at ExxonMobil, said: “This is a great example of how a relatively small investment in a high performance lubricant can deliver significant productivity and financial gains. It’s also important to recognise the safety benefits – a top priority for all mine site operators. We’re delighted that our field engineers could help our customer optimise the performance of their machinery and improve their bottom line.”
