SSAB SWEDEN INTRODUCES PREMIER COST-SAVING SOLUTIONS TO MONGOLIAN MINING ENGINEERS

By O. Dulguun

Unscheduled technical downtime inflicts severe financial losses on mining companies, driving an ongoing industry search for advanced wear reduction and cost-saving methods. To meet this demand, "SSAB", the Swedish steelmaker leading the global metallurgical industry in quality and innovation, partnered with "Hardox Wearpart Center Ulaanbaatar" ("ZME" LLC), to host a technical training seminar in Ulaanbaatar.

The seminar showcased real-world case studies demonstrating how reducing equipment tare weight directly maximizes payload capacity and extends operational lifespans.

Founded in 1878 and headquartered in Stockholm, SSAB operates in over 50 countries with a global workforce of 15,000, producing 8.8 million tonnes of crude steel annually. Company representatives noted that this session focused primarily on its Special Steels division. They also underscored SSAB's rigid compliance with international safety standards, targeting zero workplace injuries ($LTI=0\$$) across its production lines.

Furthermore, SSAB is spearheading the carbon-free transition—the heavy industry's most anticipated shift. The company officially announced that it will fully commercialize its emission free steel by 2027, replacing traditional blast furnaces with Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF). SSAB highlights this move as a critical lever for mining companies seeking to meet international ESG criteria.

GLOBAL TRACK RECORD PROVES HARDOX STEEL SIGNIFICANTLY BOOSTS PRODUCTIVITY

Balancing hardness and toughness is paramount to reducing heavy machinery weight while extending its service life.

The centerpiece of the seminar was Hardox HiAce, introduced to the market in 2019. This specialized grade not only resists mechanical wear but is specifically engineered to combat the combined effects of corrosion and wear. In drum tests conducted from coal mine samples, Hardox HiAce outperformed AR450 by 30% under dry conditions. More importantly, it achieved several times the lifespan of conventional wear-resistant steel in wet and corrosive environments.

The seminar how Caterpillar 793 haul truck bodies engineered with Hardox 500 Tuf Achieved a lighter, stronger design, increasing payload capacity by 10-20% while improving productivity, fuel efficiency, and total cost of ownership.

Beyond material supply, SSAB supports its clients in over 50 countries with 24/7 engineering assistance from its local technical support team and Knowledge Service Center specialist. SSAB designed their proprietary software called "WearCalc" to accurately predict equipment wear and service life.

A CERTIFIED BRIDGE IN MONGOLIA: HARDOX WEARPARTS CENTER ULAANBAATAR

SSAB operates a network of over 500 certified Hardox Wear part centers across more than 100 countries. In Mongolia, ZME LLC stands as the sole official, accredited partner.

Under its supply agreement with Oyu Tolgoi LLC, ZME performs precise engineering calculations tailored to specific on-site mining conditions. The company executes high-precision cutting, welding, and component fabrication locally, maintaining strict international standards.

SSAB INTRODUCES DIGITAL PRODUCT PASSPORT

Looking ahead, SSAB will introduce a Digital Product Passport to further strengthen product traceability and transparency. This enhanced traceability will help customers confirm material origin, production data, specification, and sustainability credentials.

Customers are encouraged to purchase Hardox ® through SSAB or certified Hardox partners to ensure certified quality, full traceability, and proven performance.

While counterfeit products violate SSAB's intellectual property, the greatest consequence is borne by the end user, who faces increased risks of premature wear, unexpected failures, safety incidents, and higher total operating cost due to compromised material integrity.

Organizers urged Mongolian end users to source products through the official Hardox ® Wearparts network and utilize ZME's engineering services. This ensures access to Hardox ® products, expert application support, and solutions designed to extend equipment life while reducing operational costs.

Attendees highly praised SSAB's sustainable initiatives, including the local center's ready inventory, and the 100% recyclability of the material at the end of its life cycle. Held at the Kempinski Hotel, the technical seminar concluded as a highly productive event, delivering next-generation engineering solutions to drive productivity and cut costs across Mongolia's mining sector.