December 1, 2004 6:30 – 9:30pm WSA Hospitality Dinner, No host bar Winnemucca NV – Las Margarita’s restaurant

December 2, 2004 WRMMA Meeting Minutes – Winnemucca, Nevada Convention Center

7:00a.m. to 7:30a.m. Registration / Sign in – Ellis Ritz

Dues $30.00 per person $100.00 for 4 persons or more from one site

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION

Your Officer’s

Co-Chairman Bob Frayser - Newmont

Co-Chairman Mitch Geyer - Newmont

Secretary / Treasurer Ellis Ritz - Placer Dome

Minutes Stenographer – TBA

7:30a.m. to 9:15a.m. General Business – Report Outs

• Mitch Geyer – Opening Comments, Introductions

Attendees

Bob Frayser – Newmont West

Russell Conley- Carlin East

Cecil Sloan - Western Mine Service

Terry Taylor – Western Mine Service

John Richards – Cashman Equipment

Ray Burns - Barrick Goldstrike

Mark McCabe – Barrick Goldstrike

Ryan Guthrie – Barrick Goldstrike

Richard Stersic – Newmont Lone Tree

Mitch Peltomaa – Glamis Gold - Marigold

Terry Stewart – Arnold Machinery Co.

Dave Carrera – Newmont Lone Tree

Guy Naron – Newmont Lone Tree

Dan Powell – Coeur Rochester

Skeeter Lasa - Newmont Lone Tree

Aaron Silva - Bald Mountain

Bob Hinkley – Rocky Mountain Machine Shop

Jim Trosper – Coeur Rochester

Brad Scow – Cummins Rocky Mountain

Bob Veach – Cummins Rocky Mountain

Jeff Jarrett – Newmont Twin Creeks

Randy Nicholson – Newmont Twin Creeks

Ellis Ritz – Placer Dome Cortez

Carlos Guzman – Placer Dome Cortez

Mitch Geyer – Newmont East

Bob Argo - Smith Detroit Diesel

• Bring 3 best practices, two in equipment maintenance and one in safety
• Ellis Ritz – WRMMA Business Report / Community Highlights
• Bob Frayser – WRMMA Web Site report
• Ellis Ritz – Review of Last meeting 3Ws - See Below
• Updates from each site attending: Changes, News, and Gossip - 1/2 of sites
• SDDA – Two 400 trucks with 3600 hp engines in operations at Cortez. One engine failure due to piston related failure. Engine is in Germany for inspection, exhaust leaks, inner cooler leak due to broken bolts. Accessory drives are being changed out at about 1000 hours. They are making changing. Recurring turbo leak that is getting some modifications in about a month. Uses GT55 195 mm turbo. Truck at Marigold is performing well
• Russell Carlin East – Using NDT for ball stud inspection. Finding cracks proactively and replacing on a planned down. Having problems with bed cables on the light weight beds. It looks like they are going to lengthen them about 6 inches. Barrick reports that they use Kevlar continuous slings for bed cables. Cortez is looking at supporting their truck beds at less than fully raised positions, but are not confident in the load change and related light weight bed structures ability to hold it safely. Agenda topic about bed cabling and safety will be added for next meeting. Newmont reports that if the bed is powered down with a bed cable connected it is a violent failure of the cable. Cortez reports that load carry back is a big issue with bed cable safety. Citing that with 400 ton trucks carry back can increase the weight on the bed dramatically.
• WMS – Reports that with the onset of cold weather that every battery that is weak or marginal will show up with problems. This is a problem for replacements on welding machines, so WMS has located a charge connect remotely. Reports that they cannot run two air arcs off of one Lincoln Commander. Size is 600 amps but will probably go back to Miller Air Paks. Reports Rio Tinto that they have pretty tight safety requirements for suppliers and they hired Miller to do a fall protection training session that was sensational. Reports that he recommends the training for anyone doing that type of work. He states that the training was free and Miller was in the area so it happened pretty fast in that case. Terry will get the information to Ellis Ritz.
• Cashman – Hired a new Technical Communicator that is based out of Elko. He comes for the Caterpillar proving grounds and is well experienced. The CRC has hired seven new technicians and plan to hire more. They are backed up and are trying to get caught up. They are increasing their facilities to help with the load. They report that they have an additional Mart washer in place that helps reduce the bottleneck in that area. They are still having parts availability issues with Cat, so they are preordering parts to help that situation. They are extremely busy and looking find ways to do things better and faster. Customers report that the exchange adders program has opportunity for improvement, but this topic is being tabled for other forums to discuss. Cashman added a kidney loop system for their engine dyno-meter. It has a 1,000 gallon capacity and was build by Schroeder.
• Barrick reports that there is a tank in the bottom of the axle housing on the EH5000 truck that collects and reports oil that goes past the seal. Arnold has reported that the reservoir fills too quickly and are making changes to the fluid level to a point that will not starve the bearing of lubrication. This is a nuisance sensor issue and tests are in progress. Marigold states that they have a unit on the ground waiting to go on that has the fixes installed. There are benefits to the four gear planetary as opposed to the three gear planetary. The oil quantity in the cavity did not change, but there is more metal in the planetary with the extra gear that displaces oil that works better than the other style. Also, this wasn’t an issue early on as there was no sensor to cause an alarm. Marigold uses 85W140. They have changed their bonus structure to emphasize on safety instead of production. The hope is to improve safety and keep it more on the surface and tied to money. Barrick reports that they have had a safety seminar for all their people that related to lifting and rigging. They report that they had steering cylinder failures on their Komatsu 930E haul trucks that resulted in the downing of their entire fleet. They inspected all of the steering cylinders and sent all identified defective steering cylinders in for rework. The problems were related to the root pass weld for the rod eye attachment. They gave a T.E.A.M. project update and stated that they are picking a truck for example and pulling it off to the side and performing a quality inspection to see how the process is working. They claim that buy-in took some time but overall the program is working well. They have noticed that the amount of field calls has reduced dramatically since implementation. They have a PM operator card that the operator fills out to give to the mechanics for the PM this card is different than the daily
• Lone Tree reports that they were having problems with shovel doors and have converted to freezer style doors that are working great. They have developed standard operating procedures for fall protection when working on a/c systems on loaders and trucks. Barrick has fabricated a ladder with hand rails that they lift with an overhead and place on the machine. This way the mechanic has safe access to the work area and anchor points. Barrick also reports that they have decks and handrails permanently installed on the CAT854 size machine. Mitch G. added a parking lot topic for “Service Platforms for Loaders & Trucks” for future presentation / discussion.
• Marigold – Reports that they had a mechanic was working on a dozer completed the job and was dismounting the machine when he stepped on the fire extinguisher that was secured by a bungee core that gave way to his weight. This resulted in a fall and resultant injuries. As a result they installed improved and additional decking on the machines. They are having problems with bed welding on Cat789 trucks. They have split up the dove tail section into three sections and deal with each section as needed on the PM. This results in most sections being completed in a 10 hour window. There PMs are based on 300 hour intervals. Their mechanics do all the work needed and are not specifically assigned to do lube only, etc. Going through component changes on their 789B fleet and will continue to use Cat oil and kidney looping on the rear axle components. They are gauging planned change outs at about 12,000 hours. This mark is set from learned experience on this model going back to 1990. They report that the increased cost with running the components more hours amounts to significantly higher rebuild costs. New drill arriving in March, reviving another drill and relocating from Rand.
• Arnold Machinery Co. – Have put on a corporate safety position and have a better time of being compliant with all the different areas that were causing them problems. Terry reports that he travels all the branches and is able to share best practices with each branch better than before. His job is to maintain consistency, share best practices and communicate with customers on a regimented basis. They have set up meetings with each major customer each month to improve communication, service and relations. He reports big changes since the 100% purchase of Euclid.
• Lone Tree reports that their 994 is old as well as most of their other equipment. Particularly though, the 994 front trunion mounts, surfaces and supports were causing problems. They have learned that by machining both mounting surfaces and getting full bolt torque is the key to making this assembly live. They also report that this has reduced the amount of cracking in the whole from frame assembly. They claim the tooling for the machine work is expensive to purchase and they chose to rent the equipment for the repair. They performed the work in house and claim that the success is in the attention to the mounts and related surfaces. The load created by pulling a bad mount together with bolds will cause the support to break without even running the machine. Another topic is PM repairs and planning. Specifically materials associated with these PMs and repairs. A group was brought together from different areas and set to tasks of observing, improving and implementing better processes for acquiring and staging parts for planned PM and repair procedures. They used CIBETS tools to improve the process and are in the second week of implementation now. The bottom line is that if the parts are not on site and staged, then the repair is not put on the plan. It puts the technicians back on the floor with the parts needed to do the job when it is planned. There are planned communication meetings during the day to communicate and adjust as needed. The BBSI program at Lone Tree is going strong and the TMR rate has really dropped. The main thing that they have noticed is that about 36% of the workforce is participating and it is peer to peer reinforcement that makes the difference. It is a simple system and is based on behavior rather than condition.

9:15a.m. to 10:00a.m. Break

REPORT OUT TOPICS

NOTE – IF UNABLE TO ATTEND PLEASE SEND A REPLACEMENT PREPARED TO PRESENT YOUR PART

10:00a.m. to Noon Sharing Best Practices Presentations

• Low Pressure Air Arcing – Newmont East – Mitch Geyer
• Please see presentation posted on the web site at www.master-mechanics.org The presentation was revolved around Newmont East’s data collected using the processes developed by Round Mountain www.kinross.com/op/mine0round-mountain/noise-reduction-presentation/index.html
• Report on Bridgestone tires for their loader - Glamis Marigold Mining - Mitch Peltomaa
• Bridgestone 65/65-57 D-Lug tire. This is the largest loader tire made and has an approximate cost of $50,000. The machine is very high in horse power and with the flip of a switch could rip the inner portion of the casing of the tire. Marigold changed the resistor in this circuit to limit the amount of horse power increase. One of the big concerns is rock cuts, as a result they have put on a smaller bucket 23.5 cubic yards with bigger rock wings, and decided not to run chains. Chains and maintenance is expensive and didn’t justify their use. Average life for “Generation 1” tire was about 8,000 hours. The customers wanted more life and the came out with “Generation 2”. This is when the problems started. Data shows that those sites that use chains were having tire failures regardless of bucket size. They are now coming out with “Generation 3” tires. More tests and inspections are in progress and will provide data soon.
• Planning & Scheduling – Cortez – Carlos Guzman / Ellis Ritz
• Please see the presentation on the web site at www.master-mechanics.org
• Radiator Maintenance – Spencer Rowley – CANCELLED
• Substitute for above cancelled topic – Data View – John Richards

Noon to 1:00p.m. Lunch break (Provided by WSA)

Guest Speaker

1:00p.m. to 3:00p.m. Sharing Best Practices Presentations

• Updates from each site attending: Changes, News, and Gossip - 1/2 of sites
• Coeur Rochester – Reports that 777D braking systems were an issue as of late. They had a near miss that resulted in a change in their operation tests. The testing as done historically showed that the trucks were working effectively, but in actuality were not in correct working order. The tests performed were the published Cat method however did not show that there was a problem. Cat is looking into the procedures. The test is basically a 1,200 rpm stall test as reported by Coeur. The multi disc wet front brakes are an option on the 777D trucks and have only one relay in the system. As a result all brakes apply at once. They have laminated their schematics for their 992G machine that allows people to mark up the schematic and not ruin the laminated schematic.
• Cortez – Reports that they had a couple lost time accidents that resulted in changes to one procedure that was way off the mark and creation of another procedure. MSHA was involved and asked for an equipment change to do one of the task. Cortez reports that there is no “right tool” for this job. They wrote the procedure to include the use of a 690 Tiger, but fought with MSHA to continue to use the tool that was historically used. They state that they are creating another position for a “controller” of standards, procedures, periodic reviews, etc. He will also act as a task trainer for the maintenance group. The other incident involved an oiler and a lube truck falling on him. The truck was well supported and the oiler placed himself in a position to be pin under the frame of the lube truck. The truck shifted upon release of energy and fell on the oiler. Marigold talked about installation of a bar the same width of the point sheaves of the electric shovel and using tugger cables ran through shackles attached to the bar. For more information or a drawing of this process please contact Mitch P. at Marigold. Barrick uses tuggers rated to pull all four hoist cable ends at once. They also reported that they are getting some new equipment in and that is creating some drain on manpower. They have a Cat 854 rubber tire and a new LeTourneau rubber tire machine. Ellis states that on their new 400 Tone trucks that there is an overload protection that restricts the truck to 5 miles per hour if the load is over 440 toms.
• Bald Mountain – Reports that they are in an expanding mode as opposed to a code.
• Rocky Mountain Machine Shop – They found some safety glasses that provide for bi-focals. They have a more that on magnification available. They have expanded their machine tool equipment adding a new hone and a new long bed lathe.
• Cummins Rocky Mountain – Share OSHA, MSHA compliance issues that Arnold Machinery spoke about. They have just acquired Cummins Intermountain and is busy integrating facilities, people and equipment. They have set up new communication meetings for each week to address the top three issues at the moment. They also have communication meetings prioritizing work related to all the branches. Technicians go through about 140 hours of training per year to keep them fresh and on the leading edge of product technology. During the holidays safety is not on the front of everyone’s minds and to remind everyone to pay attention and not get distracted and put yourself in a position that you don’t want to be in….you may get hurt or worse.
• Twin Creeks – Reports problems with crowd belts and initially blamed the quality / brand of the belt, but as it turned out it was the adjustment procedure. It was 2,300 psi for adjustment of running belts. However, for new belts the adjustment procedure is different and the pressure on the porta-power gauge needs to be set much less or damage to the new belts will occur. Reallocation of the welding resources has put the right amount of welders at the right place at the right time. The priority welding typically occurs on the shovel down days and more are needed periodically. Twin Creeks uses BBSI as does Lone Tree, but Twin Creeks’ uses a STAR process also. They start the day with discussions about safety and incorporate a safety hazards and risk analysis process as part of the daily business. They use the information that comes from the analysis and assign a responsible party to correct, reduce, or address the risk. They use positives as a means to reinforce and get buy-in. They go round the conference room and talk about the jobs that will take place that day. They talk about the process, risk, hazards, do’ and don’ts, etc. etc. It is a compliment to the BBSI program and works hand in hand. The crew can pick up the ball and run with the process with out the supervisor being there. It is done everyday regardless and there seems to be good buy-in. Twin Creeks started a ball stud inspection program about a year ago and have it on a 1,200 hour routine. Also, worth noting that Cat recommends ball stud change outs at certain intervals. They have new lightweight beds and have recognized the need to start inspections, history gathering and documentation and Inspection interval routines. The first thing that happens after the wash is the inspection process on the bed liner packages. The bed is not raised until this process is completed. Task training program has been implemented at Lone Tree and Twin Creeks that tracks everything that they are trained on and when that training needs to be redone to be compliant with MSHA regulations. Exception reports are ran routinely that inform the supervisors as to who is not current or training that is expired or expiring. The database is maintained by the maintenance clerk. They have an eight hour crane and rigging class that all technicians must attend. It is a real hands on session with rigging and loads. They learn how to use the rating scales and do proper use of lifting and rigging. They also use an equipment inspection sheet that is customized to like pieces of equipment and is good for the shift.
• Cortez – reports that with the new large haul trucks the biggest chock that you can get is still too small according to MSHA regulations. It was reported in the Southwest Master Mechanics meeting that a company is carbon chocks that are light but very expensive that meet the requirements for the larger trucks (400 tons). The homemade chocks built are too heavy to handle and position, so there is currently a dilemma as to what to do to meet regulations. Pick tickets. Task training, they rented a tire handler and the first time they went to use it they had a flat. The technician brought up to the supervisor that he wasn’t task trained to run the equipment. It was refreshing that the technician stopped and brought it to the supervisor instead of just jumping in the machine and placing himself or others in dangers.
• Lone Tree states that a tire handler NDT program has been implemented at Lone Tree, Twin Creeks, and Carlin Newmont Operations. Cortez also reported hidden cracks and problems found on equipment that they operate.
• Coeur Rochester states that there was a modification done on the Apollo Gold machine with the bucket stops dimensions. The problem seems to be isolated to bucket tilt cylinders. Bob F. asked that a team be put together to research and find some solutions to the early hour failures. There seems to be many modifications done across the population of the machine and no one is really sure who has what.

• Newmont West - Meta-Lax^® System Presentation – Jeff Jarrett
• Please see the presentation on the web site at www.master-mechanics.org Meta-Lax^® developed by Bonal Technologies, Inc.
• Planning and Scheduling – RMMS – Bob Hinkley
• Please see the presentation on the web site at www.master-mechanics.org
• Side Sledge – Newmont West – Bob Frayser
• Please see the presentation on the website at www.master-mechanics.org
• SDDA – Boll filter Centrifuge oil filter system

3:00p.m. to 3:15p.m. Break

3:15p.m. to 3:45p.m. General Meeting Review

What worked? What didn’t work? Suggested changes of formats, dates, locations, frequency, newsletter, etc. Selection of vendor for company/equipment updates.

Did Thursday work better than Friday – Yes

Location – Good

Get March Meeting information out early so members can get with their managers for supporting their attendance.

Good supplier participation – technical and no sales

3:45p.m. to 4:30p.m. Action Planning

Topic selection process for next WRMMA meeting study groups.

994 Tilt Cylinder early hour failures – John Richards to compile information and get to Officers

Noise Cancellation Technology – Newmont – Bob Frayser

Winnemucca Meeting Dinner Location Change – San Fermin’s

Bed safety cable best practices reports from each site - Kevlar Slings for Bed Cable application

Fall Protection Training – See 3W Form Item #8

Loader tie off procedures – Barrick Goldstrike

Service platform / loaders trucks – Site report out with photos if needed. Mitch G. Batu Presentation

Shovel hoist rope pulling / change best practices – Placer Dome Cortez – Carlos G. / Mitch P / Glamis / Barrick info to Carlos to present.

Tire shortage / Tire Manufacturers

LTUG Report out – Placer Dome – Ellis Ritz

Steel Suppliers / Steel availability

3W review.

NO	What	Who	When	Comments
1	Hire a Stenographer for taking minutes at the next meeting	Bob Frayser	March 1, 2005	Locate an individual and set up for meeting
2	Redesign Opening Slides for meeting & show to officers at next officers meeting	Mitch Geyer	DONE	Show slides to officers at officer’s meeting at the Star Restaurant June 23, 2004 at 1:00 pm
3	Each Site member to bring an operations person to the next meeting	All Sites	March 12, 2005	Typically one who interacts the most with maintenance personnel, i.e. Trainer, Coordinator, Dispatcher, etc.
4	Form Committee for development and planning of March Joint meeting	Bob Frayser	Ongoing – March 2005	Committee members: Mike Gleason, Bob Frayser, Rich Stersic,
5	Secure a guest speakers for 30 minute session at the end of lunch	Bob Frayser	March 2005	Have secured and confirmed
6	Make contact with Ely NV mines	Ellis Ritz	March 2005	Provide detailed communication
7	Develop Supplier Invitation Letter, agenda, Questionnaire and post minutes.	Bob Frayser	DONE	Post agenda and minutes to the web.
8	Hand out Questionnaire and put time on agenda	Bob Frayser	March 12, 2005	Print and have ready for next meeting.
9	Provide work schedules to Placer Dome	Mitch Peltomaa	Jan 1, 2005	Provide to Ellis Ritz at Cortez Mine