The onboarding of a wire rope specialist to promote high-performance lubricant manufacturer and distributor Lubrication Engineers South Africa’s (LESA’s) recently launched Wirelife Monolec Penetrating Lubricant and Wirelife Almasol Coating Grease has resulted in noticeable business growth in the South African underground mining sector, LESA says.

These products are expected to represent a targeted market share of 15% by the end of this year and result in “exponential” growth going into 2026.

“Both wire rope lubricants offer enhanced performance for mine winder ropes,” says LESA senior technical sales representative and wire rope specialist Ron Byrnes.

Key factors contributing towards the improved performance of winder ropes include the strong performance of the lubricants, an increased demand for high-quality mining solutions, expert technical support and a focused marketing strategy aimed at demonstrating the benefits of these products in terms of longevity, safety and cost efficiency.

“The Wirelife Monolec Penetrating Lubricant and Wirelife Almasol Coating Grease have been well received in industries such as mining and construction and are praised for their ability to penetrate to the core of wire ropes, providing excellent corrosion resistance and high load-carrying properties,” he adds.

Users have also reported that these products effectively reduce wear and protect against rust, even in harsh operating conditions.

Byrnes points out that the tacky, water- resistant characteristics of Wirelife Almasol Coating Grease enable it to adhere effectively to rapidly moving parts, sealing out damaging moisture and ensuring long life and the smooth operation of equipment.

LESA, and its founding company Lubrication Engineers (LE) Global, have started working with original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of wire ropes to secure the official endorsement of the Wirelife range for use with every specific rope type provided by the OEMs.

Although this process is still in the early stages, LESA believes it will add value by showing that the Wirelife range is trusted by leading rope manufacturers.

“This collaboration strengthens the case for using Wirelife products, especially with mining engineers, as it highlights the quality and reliability of LE’s solutions in real-world applications,” says Byrnes.

Reliable Application Intervals

The reapplication frequency of lubricants, such as Wirelife Monolec Penetrating Lubricant and Wirelife Almasol Coating Grease for mine winder ropes in South Africa’s mining industry depends on equipment type, operating conditions and environmental factors.

“Given the harsh African mining environment, it is essential to establish a regular lubrication schedule to ensure optimal equipment performance and longevity,” adds Byrnes.

While specific lubrication intervals can vary, consulting with LESA and adhering to equipment manufacturer guidelines is crucial, he says, noting that regular monitoring and analysis of lubricant performance can also help determine appropriate maintenance intervals.

Owing to the stringent mining standards and legislation, domestic standards authority the South African Bureau of Standards has established codes of practice relevant to the maintenance and lubrication of steel wire ropes in mining applications.

Adhering to these standards and using resources such as research foundation the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s wire rope testing services, can assist in establishing effective lubrication practices, thereby enhancing equipment reliability and safety in mining operations.

Bad Bitumen

Although some users of wire rope use bitumen- based lubricants, Byrnes points out that these products often pose greater environmental risks, owing to their potential toxicity and difficulty in breaking down.

In contrast, the LESA Wirelife Almasol Coating Grease is a calcium-based mineral oil grease that is generally more environment friendly.

This formulation, he explains, enhances the product’s water resistance and tackiness, consequently enabling it to adhere strongly to moving parts and create an effective barrier against moisture intrusion, thereby reducing the risk of environmental contamination.

Further, Wirelife Almasol Coating Grease is designed to function effectively across a wide temperature range, from –30 °C to about 70 °C, without becoming hard and brittle in the way that bitumen-based lubricants do over time.

This property guarantees its efficacy across a range of operating conditions, thereby further reducing environmental impact.

Meanwhile, the LESA Viper rope lubricator system provides methods to enhance lubricant penetration into wire ropes, displacing moisture and covering ropes in lubricant product more effectively by forcing lubricant into the core of the rope with high pressure, says Byrnes.

He says integrating the Viper rope lubricator into an existing client’s system is “straightforward”, does not require additional infrastructure and can be operated by two technicians, freeing up other maintenance resources for critical tasks.

“The lubrication process is efficient, taking less than half the time compared to the application of conventional bituminous-based rope dressing,” Byrnes concludes.