Managing your assets is essential in the mining industry, as the industry requires more capital than most. The costs are high due to safety measures and the upkeep of equipment, for the most part. Large companies typically run mines, and may possibly run more than one at a time. Such a high-cost industry requires asset management that can keep up.

An EAM, or Electronic Asset Management system, also known as a CMMS, a Computer Maintenance Management System, can help you watch these assets. An EAM or CMMS can offer tools that can organize data and monitor equipment. In an asset-intensice industry like mining, this is critical. Here are some of the ways that an EAM or CMMS can be beneficial to your mine.

Document Management
Documents are important for a mine; whether it is a contract with an important company or a detailed diagram, losing track of documentation could waste precious time. Uploading documents with an EAM helps keep track of them and gives vendors complete access.

Life Cycle Management
A CMMS can keep track of the entire life cycle of an asset, a vital tool in an industry where assets could have various costs and needs over the course of their life. Managers will always be aware of when equipment will need to be replaced.

Operational Guidelines
A set of guidelines and procedures that pertain to an entire operation could be a life saver for companies who manage multiple mines at once. An overall standard can help maintain costs and efficiency. An EAM can provide information that can help management determine the best procedure to cover all assets.

Safety Inspection Tracking
A CMMS’s life cycle monitoring becomes much more valuable when you consider the higher danger and cost that comes with the large equipment used in the mining industry. Inspection should be a priority when dealing with assets that could cause a disaster if not completely safe. A CMMS can make sure that even the heaviest equipment is in good shape.

Closing Plan Assistance
An EAM can help create a checklist that can determine what assets will come into play after the mine closes. Closing mines is an important part of any operation; assets which could threaten the surrounding environment should be closed off completely. Most countries will require your mine to have a clear closing plan ahead of time.

Pollution Control
Consistent inspection of assets can also prevent pollution. The mining process can create a lot of waste, which is typically held in what is called a tailing pond. Inspection tools given with a CMMS can make sure that this waste does not invade the local ecosystem.

Safety Tracking & Management
Every piece of the mining process needs to be inspected and maintained for optimal safety. An accident can easily become a catastrophe, possibly involving the loss of life. An EAM or CMMS can provide scheduling for inspections and repairs so assets can remain in a safe condition.

This is just the beginning of how an EAM or CMMS can benefit a mine. The mine’s costs and efficiency will never be the same.