Top 5 Workflow Bottlenecks Mining Contractors Need to Eliminate (and How to Fix Them)

Are outdated processes holding your team back? Discover the step-by-step workflow plan mining subcontractors use to streamline operations.

Mining contractors face constant pressure to maximise productivity. Yet even small workflow bottlenecks in mining can derail projects, cause costly delays, and waste valuable resources.

In this article, we’ll break down the five most common workflow bottlenecks faced by mining contractors—and provide proven, practical solutions to fix them. Plus, you’ll get access to a free audit template you can use to quickly evaluate your current workflows, spot improvement areas, and start seeing real productivity gains immediately.

Bottleneck 1: Manual Data Collection Slows Everything Down

Problem:
Manual reporting using spreadsheets and paper forms slows down your operations, introduces errors, and duplicates tasks, creating costly delays.

Solution:
Automate data collection and reporting processes using digital tools, mobile apps, and real-time dashboards.

Real-world Example:
Australian Civil Solutions replaced their paper-based wet-hire dockets and manual site forms with a mobile app. The result was immediate visibility into daily revenues and project costs, allowing their team to finalise invoicing and payroll by close of business, significantly reducing administrative workloads.

Bottleneck 2: Fragmented Systems and Poor Communication

Problem:
Using disconnected tools for, procurement, and finance leads to duplicated work, rework, and miscommunication across site teams.

Solution:
Integrate your project, resource, and financial management systems into a single, unified mining platform.

Real-world Example:
Austrack Equipment integrated equipment utilisation, fuel consumption, invoicing, and accounting into a single digital platform. This integration reduced monthly plant administration time by over 50%, dramatically enhancing internal communication and project visibility.

Bottleneck 3: Inefficient Resource Allocation

Problem:
Manual resource planning often results in double-booked crews, idle equipment, and costly project delays.

Solution:
Optimise resource allocation and scheduling with AI-powered scheduling software and predictive planning tools.

Real-world Example:
Gunne Civil Constructions adopted digital scheduling solutions to optimise their resource allocation, enabling a 30% increase in productivity without expanding their administrative staff. Automated, AI-driven scheduling significantly improved their resource utilisation and reduced idle time.

Bottleneck 4: Reactive Maintenance and Unplanned Downtime

Problem:
Reactive maintenance practices cause sudden equipment breakdowns, interrupting workflows and creating expensive project delays.

Solution:
Implement  predictive maintenance using digital tools for equipment monitoring and proactive servicing schedules.

Real-world Example:
Truck Hire Solutions transitioned from paper-based equipment tracking to real-time fleet monitoring. Digital alerts now proactively schedule servicing, significantly reducing unexpected downtime and enabling smoother fleet management.

Bottleneck 5: Outdated Legacy Systems

Problem:
Legacy tools create admin duplication, slow down teams, and restrict your ability to scale efficiently.

Solution:
Review your current tech stack, audit outdated tools, and replace them with modern, integrated software specifically designed for mining contractors.

Real-world Example:
Australian Civil Solutions moved away from paper-based prestarts, Word-based plant allocation, and Excel-driven billing, replacing these disconnected processes with an integrated, cloud-based system. This significantly improved data accuracy, reduced admin duplication, and provided real-time visibility for both field and office teams—allowing them to scale smoothly.

Actionable Next Steps

By clearly identifying and tackling these five critical workflow bottlenecks in mining, your operations can:

• Automate repetitive admin tasks, significantly improving reporting efficiency.
  
  
• Leverage data-driven insights to plan smarter and proactively avoid costly downtime.
  
  
• Scale operations smoothly without additional complexity or overhead.
  
  

📥  Next Step: Download your Free Workflow Bottleneck Audit Template and immediately pinpoint your top improvement areas.