LED illuminators have increased productivity at the world’s largest bauxite mine in Western Australia, in a remote and harsh region.
The mine produces around 23 million tonnes of bauxite a year and was looking to improve efficiency by upgrading site and conveyor belt lighting. Light fittings have to operate under vibration, dust, heat, heavy rain, and long running times; all of which affect performance and life span. Conditions can often lead to premature failure, causing production downtime during maintenance or replacement.
The aim was to find lighting that could withstand the conditions on site, besides providing adequate illumination as an energy and cost efficient solution with reduced maintenance.
The mine did a trial of Raytec’s RAYLUX Urban illuminators, designed for places such as mines and oil rigs. Typical illuminators would break down after to or three months due to the vibration, but the Raytec illuminators delivered a consistent performance over the 12 month trial, and continue to run.
The Control System Engineer at the mine comments on the lighting installation: “The new Raytec illuminators have revolutionised the way we work. Previously we were making bulb changes every 2-3 months, but the RAYLUX illuminators have allowed us to significantly increase productivity because of their reliability and need for no maintenance.”
The UK makers say that RAYLUX Urban fittings provide crisp white, even illumination for improved visibility with no dark areas, compared to older sodium style lights which produce a dull and uneven spread of orange light. Raytec illuminators provide a ten year life, have low power consumption and running costs, and require it’s claimed zero maintenance. This has allowed the mine to make energy, cost and labour savings.
