## 5 Conclusions  
This study analyzed the reliability and maintainability of equipment in aggregate quarries, which are essential for optimal operation. Given the complex and context-specific nature of reliability, influenced by numerous environmental factors, a thorough technical and operational analysis is essential. Focusing on the Patars quarry, the research evaluated operational reliability and maintainability using field data, particularly emphasizing wear-prone metal components that require frequent replacements or repairs. Reliability studies in mechanics often model failure rates using distributions such as Weibull, normal, or lognormal. Quarry equipment, especially in environments with heterogeneous rock properties (Patars basalt open-pit), experiences significant abrasive \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c} \hline
**Trough Material** & **Total Cost (EUR/Unit)** & **Original Reliability (Days)** & **Required Operational Lifespan (Days)** \\ \hline Original plate material & 1899.25 & 105 & 105 \\ Hardox 400 & 2839.49 & 105 & 157 \\ Pucest Plate & 4537.87 & 105 & 251 \\ \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 13: Trough reliability and operational lifespan. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c} \hline
**Trough Material** & **Cost Calculation (EUR/Unit)** & **Total Cost (EUR/Unit)** \\ \hline Original plate material & (3 \(\times\) 6 \(\times\) 38 + 1091) \(\times\) 1.07 & 1899.25 \\ Hardox 400 & (3 \(\times\) 6 \(\times\) 85 + 1.3 \(\times\) 1091) \(\times\) 1.07 & 2839.49 \\ Pucest Plate & (3 \(\times\) 6 \(\times\) 175 + 1091) \(\times\) 1.07 & 4537.87 \\ \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 12: Trough replacement cost. wear, making it difficult to isolate individual wear factors. This complexity underscores the need for comprehensive reliability and maintainability analyses. Specifically, the wear behavior of the Komatsu WA470 front loader bucket blade, the Komatsu HB365 excavator bucket tooth, and the sorting station chute, utilizing Hardox 400 and Pucest materials, was evaluated. The results indicated a significant increase in material roughness (Ra, Rt, Rz) with increasing cycles and load, demonstrating progressive wear. Notably, Pucest exhibited superior wear resistance compared to Hardox 400 at high loads (5N), with statistically significant differences, suggesting its viability for demanding mining applications. The decrease in reliability over time indicates progressive wear of the components. This information can be used to assess component lifespans and plan their replacement. Reliability values can also be used to compare the performance of different materials or reconditioning methods. Furthermore, weld reconditioning has proven to be an effective method for restoring worn material properties, extending equipment lifespan, and reducing costs. Optimized welding parameters were achieved. Statistical analysis validated the observed trends and highlighted the statistical significance of differences between materials and testing conditions. Although limitations are acknowledged, particularly the lack of replications, this study emphasizes the importance of appropriate material selection and efficient maintenance practices to mitigate wear and improve mining equipment longevity. The findings can be used to optimize maintenance processes and improve operational performance. Future research directions should focus on extensive testing of alternative materials under real quarry conditions and life cycle analysis for a comprehensive evaluation of long-term costs. Additionally, investigating real-time wear monitoring methods and implementing predictive maintenance technologies could contribute to further optimization of quarry operations. Conceptualization, V.A.F. and M.T. ; methodology, V.A.F. and M.T. ; software, V.A.F. ; validation, V.A.F., M.T. and D.T.-T.; investigation, V.A.F., M.T. and D.T.-T.; resources, M.T. ; data curation, V.A.F. and D.T.-T.; writing--original draft preparation, V.A.F. ; writing--review and editing, M.T.