Operator, technical manager and maintenance supervisor discuss the operation and maintenance of machines
Stephen Djamby Damas – Operator on Sennebogen machines
“My name is Stephen Djamby Damas. I’m an Operator at the Gsez mineral port.
Nabil Bouziani – Technical Manager at SMT Gabon
Gsez is a large client, that takes care of the logistics of all the raw materials: manganese and clinker.
Lourci Rauye Ndzounas – Maintenance supervisor GSEZ
Our role here consists of receiving products from Okonja, from Franceville and Lastrouville. These are regions of Gabon. We receive them by wagon. We upload them with the Sennebogen and put them in articulated haulers. The dumpers transport material and take them to the docks. Here, the Sennebogen pick them up and put them in the barges.
Nabil Bouziani – Technical Manager at SMT Gabon
At present, we have a fleet of ten Volvo dumpers, nine Sennebogen, five Volvo loaders, plus a Dressta bulldozer.
Lourci Rauye Ndzounas – Maintenance supervisor GSEZ
Among the nine Sennebogen, we have three 850, we have three 830, and the brand-new ones, which are 855 E-series.
Avinash Hingmire – Maintenance Lead GSEZ
Operational-wise, maintenance-wise and economic-wise, all three are there, and because of that, we have chosen Sennebogen. For example, Sennobogen machines are very friendly for maintenance purposes and operational reasons too. And you know that the output of that machine, that’s why we go for the Sennebogen machines. Regarding the articulated haulers, I could say the same thing. Because they are verymaintenance friendly machines. SMT is the only company supporting us with maintenance. We have an annual maintenance contrat with them to maintain our machines properly.
Nabil Bouziani – Technical Manager at SMT Gabon
We sell the machines, we provide customer service, and we always ensure their proper functioning. It is the company that handles the logistics, and the machines must always run 24/7. Our main task is to ensure that the machines always remain in good condition. And if there is a problem, we must react as quickly as possible in order to hold up production.
Stephen Djamby Damas – Operator on Sennebogen machines
When machine operators notice anomalies, we write up a report to SMT of the various breakdowns we noticed during the shift. Then SMT sends a team that comes to meet us directly at the worksite. They join the operator to make sure that the issues have been detected, and then we find a solution.
Nabil Bouziani – Technical Manager at SMT Gabon
There’s always some suspense. Breakdowns happen unexpectedly. You have to start your machine and concentrate to repair the client’s machine, which is our machine too, and our image.
Avinash Hingmire – Maintenance Lead GSEZ
You know this is a port, and things move very fast. When a train is there, we have to unload 80, 90 or sometimes even 100 wagons. There is a time limit for that, so within that time, we must get it unloaded. So for unloading, we have to apply good equipment, and reliable equipment.
Nabil Bouziani – Technical Manager at SMT Gabon
When we talk about a train that is leaving Franceville or Mouanda, it’s all about timing. When train arrives, it must not take long. That means the machines must immediately unload the material. Then, either the material is stored, as you can see here, or it is delivered to the docks for the machines to start loading the product onto the barges. After that, it goes to the vessel. So neither the train nor the vessel can be late. And it is the machines that have to take care of the logistics and be well coordinated. And to have good coordination, you need well-operating equipment. That’s our challenge. At SMT, we have five teams on shifts. Normally, we have a lot of work to do during the day. It’s preventive work, such as oil changes and lubrication.
Lourci Rauye Ndzounas – Maintenance supervisor GSEZ
Collaboration is like mixing two drops of water and they become one water drop. If everything goes smoothly and works well we will definitely go for the new equipment provided by SMT.
Avinash Hingmire – Maintenance Lead GSEZ
So there is a future for the relationship between SMT and GSEZ.”
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