India has vast reserves of many different minerals. It has significant reserves of coal, iron oxide, bauxite and other minerals. Given inherent advantages of low cost, strategic location and an untapped mineral base, the Indian mining industry has potential for high growth and for attracting greater capital, especially at the exploratory stages, where investments are low. Among the minerals India is most abundant in coal with the bulk of deposits located and mining activities been carried out in the Eastern India. Coal accounts for about 70% of total electricity generation in the country. Other demands on the coal supply come from the steel and the cement industry. To supply the augmented growth of coal demand, coal production units are in mode of reviving, revamping their capacities and assets; thus, making mining segment a potential opportunity with continual expansion and the coal demand seen with increase in mining equipment investment in coming times.

To address the mining segment Ashwin Bengali, RM - East, conducted seminars at various coal mining sites endorsing Mr Rajesh Bhandari's, VP - S&M, viewpoint on focusing end markets and drive an awareness at the end user level on Gates system promotion concept [Gates hoses and Gates couplings crimped as per Gates specs.]. This Gates system promotion concept will ultimately result in reduction in equipment downtime, lesser maintenance costs enhancing machine, equipment performance thus yielding better productivity levels. These events were organised with the local channel partner in the region, M/s Crimpflo.

Initially a seminar was conducted in EMTA [Eastern Mining Trading Agency], Tara coal mining site near Asansol - EMTA is a well recognized group company having its presence in mining, power and paper segment. EMTA group is in the business of captive coal mining for the power sector who also have joint ventures with the various state governments [like Bengal, Punjab, Karnataka] of integrated coal mining projects for their captive power sector. They are well recognized mining player and operating in coal mining  segment.

The site mining fleet majorly consists of Excavators, Back hoe loaders, Dumpers, Dozers, Haulpaks, etc. The audience comprised of 40 participants from diverse end user profiles such as Maintenance Officers, Mech. Supervisor, Foremen, BEML reps., L&T reps., and covering all the equipment mechanic team at the site.

Along with the seminar, a presentation was made on the hose assembly product range and its effect on the hydraulic system of their equipment. With this view they were made aware regarding the increase in the performance of equipment by use of hose assembly with Gates hose and Gates coupling in comparison to Mix-n-Match hose assembly which was mainly attributed to the coupling, crimping quality and hose. Demonstrations were made promoting the use of complete solutions system offered by Gates to reduce the machine maintenance costs followed by interactive sessions

Hose Assembly & application issues on field

Machine maintenance aspects with respect to Gates hose assembly and providing value addition for their machines with usage of Gates complementary product range.

The participants acknowledged the Gates system promotion concept ascertained to seek for Gates hose assembly [Gates hoses and Gates couplings] for their machines.

The seminar in EMTA was followed by the seminar at Eastern Coal Fields [ECL] - Sonpur Bazari mining site. ECL is the subsidiary of Coal India Ltd [CIL], which is a public sector company and the largest mining player in India. The sites consisted of open cast mines with HEMM and mining fleets for conducting mining operations. The site mining fleet majorly consists of dozers, dumpers, excavators, back hoe loader, grader, haulpak, etc. The seminar had participation from 25 officials from ECL. Demonstrations about superiority of Gates product [with system promotion] Gates hose and Gates coupling, crimped as per Gates specs was made with a perspective to create awareness among the audience who were receptive to the importance of compatibility of hose assembly and its effect on field performance .

Gates coupling features such as right hose assembly for right application concept were explained with major emphasis on usage of "STAMPED" method [Size, Temperature, Application, Material to be conveyed, Pressure, Ends or couplings, Delivery of material in velocity or volumes] for right selection of the hose assembly as the audience sought clarification on proper hose selection. The audience response after presentation was keen and positive. Post presentation there were lot of a query session was held in which the inquiries from the audience on maintenance issues, Gates hose assembly, the value addition factors, the difference between the existing hose assembly they are using on their equipment and Gates hose assembly were catered.