The Sabine Mining Company

Year Submitted: 2003

Process: Process Lubrication

Industry: Mining

Wastes Reduced: Solvent

Substance: TCE Lubricant

Equipment: Non-Chlorinated Lubricants

Location: Hallsville TX

No. of employees: 180

Contact: Murleen Pirtle

Phone: (903) 660-

Description:

Evaluation began in November of 1993 to replace the dragline lubricants which contained 1,1,1 Trichloroethane (TCE), a toxic substance, with a chlorine free product and upgrade the lubricating system. As the draglines begin to age, Sabine Mining experiences an increase in lubrication and waste generation. In May 1995, both draglines were equipped with lubricant point injectors and bulk lube systems. These new lubricating systems reduced the frequency of grease injection to the walking cam draglines and generated less waste.

P2 Application:

In conjunction with their supplier, Sabine Mining began testing cam lubricants. These products were developed and tested exclusively at Sabine. This effort led to the development of a grease which exhibited all the required lubricating capabilities and contained no hazardous ingredients. All waste grease being generated from the draglines is now nonhazardous and is being recycled for fuel. The amount of nonhazardous waste grease generated has decreased 49% within six months.

Environmental Benefits:

By March of 1995, Sabine had completed a change over to non-chlorinated grease with only eight drums (2.5 tons) of hazardous waste generated through October 31, 1995. The amount of hazardous waste grease generated had decreased 95.5% in eight months.

Details of Reductions

Additional Information :

Total capital cost of the project was $74,000 with a payback period of approximately 1 ½ years. The savings are due to reduction in hazardous and nonhazardous waste disposal, labor, cleanup, and lubricant purchase.

Source: TCEQ