A new partnership between TotalEnergies and HBT offers Australian longwall operations a single-source provider for equipment, fluids and technical support.
Managing fluid and lubricant specifications across multiple suppliers has long been a logistical challenge for Australian mine sites.
This is particularly the case when equipment manufacturers and fluid providers operate independently, but a new partnership between two market heavyweights is addressing the issue directly.
TotalEnergies Australia and Hauhinco Mining Technology (HBT) have combined forces to create a new option for mining operations in Australia.
First announced at the Australian 2024 Longwall Conference, the collaboration positions the two companies as a single-source provider; HBT supplies advanced mining equipment, while TotalEnergies delivers the specialised fluids and lubricants required to keep that machinery operational.
Integrated products and support
The collaboration addresses a familiar industry challenge: ensuring that specialised mining equipment operates with fluids and lubricants specifically engineered for its design parameters. While mines have traditionally sourced these products separately, the TotalEnergies–HBT model integrates them under a unified technical support structure.
HBT provides the machinery for roadway development and underground operations, while TotalEnergies supplies the range of fluids required, from longwall hydraulic fluids to gear oils, with both companies sharing technical responsibility for performance outcomes.
TotalEnergies technical specialist and mining manager for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East Pierre-Marie Maurice said the partnership allows the companies to leverage their combined expertise when working with mining clients.
“This collaboration represents a significant step in how we support underground mining operations in Australia,” he said. “When you have the equipment manufacturer and the fluid provider working in alignment, you eliminate the ambiguity around performance specifications and maintenance protocols.
“Our clients gain access to products that have been tested specifically for HBT equipment, backed by technical support from both organisations.”
The arrangement extends beyond HBT equipment, with TotalEnergies’ product range available for other machinery operating on the same sites.
Central to the product range now available in Australia is HBT Corsave 330, a high-water-content hydraulic fluid designed specifically for longwall systems. The fluid is formulated to address the performance challenges common in underground mining, namely corrosion protection, stability in variable water conditions and fire resistance.
Maurice said the product has undergone testing with water samples from Australian mine sites to ensure compatibility with local conditions.
“We’ve tested Corsave 330 with different mine water types found in Australian coalfields to verify its stability and performance characteristics,” he said. “The fluid needs to maintain its protective properties regardless of water hardness or mineral content variations. That testing process was essential before we could confidently offer this product to Australian operations.”
The fluid is approved under the relevant HBT standard and offers high corrosion protection, biodegradability, and a formulation free of formaldehyde and mineral oil. The product is available in bulk and packaged forms for delivery to Australian sites.
Filtration performance is another factor in the fluid’s design. Corsave 330 is engineered to maintain filtration speed even in hard-water conditions, reducing the frequency of filter changes and associated maintenance downtime – a consideration in continuous longwall operations where hydraulic system reliability directly affects production.
Alongside the longwall hydraulic fluid, the partnership has introduced Dynatrans WS 75W-90, a synthetic gear and hydraulic oil designed for use in HBT’s controlled start transmission (CST) gear units, including the CST 45 and CST 65 models. The product is formulated on polyalphaolefin base fluids, which enable extended drain intervals compared to conventional mineral oils.
The oil has been developed specifically for combined hydraulic and gear systems that incorporate wet brakes, a configuration used in CST units. Its additive package provides anti-wear protection, corrosion resistance, and prevents foaming and stick-slip phenomena that can affect gear performance and operational smoothness.
For mining operations, the extended service intervals translate directly to reduced maintenance scheduling and associated costs. Fewer oil changes mean less downtime for equipment service and reduced consumption of consumables.
The partnership also provides access to TotalEnergies’ range of synthetic and mineral lubricants and greases for non-HBT equipment on mine sites, supporting the single-source approach that underpins the collaboration.
The arrangement also includes access to predictive maintenance analytics and technical services, with both companies providing support backed by original equipment manufacturer (OEM) knowledge for HBT machinery and TotalEnergies’ expertise in fluid performance optimisation.
The partnership’s value proposition extends beyond product supply to encompass technical support and maintenance optimisation. With HBT providing equipment expertise and TotalEnergies offering fluid performance knowledge, mining operations gain access to combined technical resources when addressing operational issues or planning maintenance schedules.
Maurice said TotalEnergies is committed to providing ongoing technical support to Australian mining operations using the products.
“We’re not simply supplying fluids and lubricants; we’re providing technical partnership,” he said. “Our team works with mine sites to optimise fluid performance, troubleshoot issues, and ensure that products are delivering the expected results in their specific operating conditions.”
The collaboration reflects a broader industry trend toward integrated solutions that combine equipment and consumables under unified technical support structures.
As mining operations face ongoing pressure to maximise equipment uptime while managing maintenance costs, partnerships that simplify supply chains and provide coordinated technical expertise are likely to gain traction.
For the Australian underground mining sector, the availability of HBT equipment paired with purpose-designed fluids and lubricants from TotalEnergies offers an important alternative to traditional multi-supplier arrangements.
This feature appeared in the December issue of Australian Mining magazine.