2 min read

Proactive maintenance to boost uptime and safety in mining

Picture of Loctite Loctite : 30 September 2025

Mining operations such as minerals processing face extreme wear of critical equipment from abrasion, repetitive impact, erosion and chemical attack. These types of issues can lead to frequent breakdowns, unplanned downtime and substantial revenue losses. Not to mention maintenance costs. According to Australian Mining, these are typically in the region of 40-50% of total operating costs.

It’s not just the financial impacts either. These situations can also increase the potential for safety issues. These may occur due to things like structural collapses, ore leakages, falling materials, or machinery instability, in turn leading to falls, electric shocks and crushes or other serious injuries. Another major safety consideration is that workers may need to enter confined spaces or use rigging to conduct repairs, which comes with inherent risks.

Taking a proactive rather than a reactive approach to equipment repairs and maintenance can help reduce downtime, extend equipment life and boost efficiency, while also helping to prevent equipment failure than can result in safety issues.

Staying ahead of downtime with Henkel’s LOCTITE^® solutions.

This includes applying protective surface coatings, such as Henkel’s LOCTITE^® wear protection solutions, to equipment and components. The benefits include:

Advanced formulations: designed to withstand abrasion, impact, erosion and chemical attack.
Fast cure times: for example, four hours for PC 9593, helping enable faster return to service.
Easy to use: can be applied in situ with minimal labour required.
Durable: helps extend the time between maintenance cycles.

LOCTITE® advanced wearing compounds are also safe to use, reducing the risk of harm to workers. For example, PC 7218 and PC 9593 compounds don’t contain the hazardous ingredient DETA (Diethylenetriamine), making them suitable to apply even in confined spaces.

Getting the application right.

LOCTITE^® products are easy to use, but it’s crucial for workers to choose the right solution for the job, and prepare the surface and apply the product correctly - including allowing the required time for curing. This is why Henkel offers training and support on site, advice on the correct products for different situations, and surface engineering workshops.

Henkel’s LOCTITE^® wear protection solutions in action.

A leading Australian iron-ore mine experienced ceramic tile damage due to continuous fast iron ore flows. Replacing the tiles was likely to be very expensive. LOCTITE® PC 9313 high impact wearing compound was applied in thicknesses of 6-12mm, depending on the damage level.

The result was a three-fold increase of equipment lifespan, a 67% reduction in maintenance cycle times (four cycles per annum instead of 12), and annual cost-savings of several thousand dollars.

Why it matters?

Neil Board, National Account Manager at Henkel Australia Adhesive Technologies, says LOCTITE^® protective coatings are engineered to be safe and easy to apply, significantly enhancing worker safety – especially in confined or hazardous environments.

“Their long-lasting performance reduces the frequency of reapplication, minimising exposure to risk and allowing workers to complete tasks more efficiently. With LOCTITE^®, workers go home safer, and operations benefit from improved reliability and reduced downtime."

Available at Blackwoods – Your Safety Equipment Partner.

Blackwoods is proud to offer Loctite as part of our commitment to keeping Australian workers safe. As the country’s largest provider of industrial and safety equipment, we’ve got everything you need to protect your team. Shop Henkel LOCTITE® surface solutions at Blackwoods online.