Mining Company
Eaton safely illuminates two mines through harsh conditions
Segment: Mining, processing
Challenge: Help two Australian mining facilities reduce downtime, maintenance and energy costs by transitioning to durable LED lighting fixtures that can reliably withstand harsh mining conditions
Solution: Eaton’s Crouse-Hinds Endure™ LED fixtures with durable stainless steel construction
Results: Endure LED luminaires provide reliable and safe illumination throughout the facilities, offering higher-quality lighting while reducing energy and maintenance costs upwards of $150,000 per year
Background
One of the world’s largest diversified natural resource companies operates more than 150 facilities around the world, including mining and metallurgical sites, oil production assets, and agricultural facilities. A major producer and marketer of more than 90 commodities, the company operates in over 50 countries, including Australia. Two of the company’s mines recently embarked on a project to reduce maintenance costs while improving light quality and safety. They turned their focus to replacing aging fluorescent lighting and high intensity discharge (HID) with modern highly efficient light-emitting diode (LED) solutions.
Challenge
Mining operations are dependent on reliable lighting to keep personnel safe, maintain aroundthe- clock operations and reduce energy consumption. Reoccurring and costly failure of fluorescent lamps at the mine fueled the need for a more effective and reliable lighting solution, while the need for reduced maintenance costs pushed the facility to make the switch to Eaton.
Solution
To support the customer’s investment in LED lighting, Eaton supplied its Crouse- Hinds Endure LED bulk head products to two facilities. Featuring stainless steel construction to prevent corrosion, the IP66-rated fittings ensure troublefree operation in the harsh mine environment—with robust protection against hose-directed water, airborne contaminates and environmental corrosion.Eaton provided trial fittings, allowing the mine to test the product before making a final decision.
Results
Since the successful trial, the company has installed additional fittings, including battery packs for emergency lighting. Eaton’s Endure LED luminaires will save the facility $150,000 per year in maintenance costs by eliminating the need for frequent installation of replacement lamps.
The LED Endure bulk head lights provide the same illumination with 75 percent fewer lights and require minimal maintenance during their lifetime.
With the new installations, the liability issues caused by fluorescent and HID lighting failures in both facilities have been mitigated and the facilities can now benefit from the reliability, durability and reduced maintenance costs of LEDs with Eaton’s Crouse-Hinds Endure fittings.
