Mining equipment maintenance and reliability: a systematic review of modelling approaches, solution methods, and applications

Maintenance and reliability of mining equipment are critical for meeting production targets, managing costs, and supporting safe operations. This paper provides a structured review of maintenance and reliability research in mining, focusing on single-unit (SU) and multi-unit (MU) modelling approaches. Using this distinction as an analytical framework, 87 peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2024 are analysed in terms of objectives, solution methods, and consideration of workforce and spare-parts constraints. The review shows a shift towards data-driven and simulation-based methods and identifies gaps in decision-oriented modelling, uncertainty handling, and coordination with production planning.