Western Region

Of

Underground Master Mechanics

Jan. 25, 2002 Meeting Minutes

 Place: Convention Center John Cashell – Chairman

City: Wimmemucca, Nevada

WRUMM Staff

Dave Starbuck – Vice Chairman

Gary Brouse - Secretary

Ben Casey - Treasurer

Dave Starbuck opened the meeting due to the absence of John Cashell. The Treasurer, Ben Casey was also absent. Dave reviewed the agenda for the day including options to get more mines involved with our group. The minutes from the last meeting were also reviewed. There were twenty-three members present. The new members of our group where up-dated on our web site and passwords for the site.

The group discussed the duo-cone seal problems on the EJC 430 trucks with Anglo reporting that rolling torque along with impact blows has slowed the leakage problem on the 19D axles. The manufacturing data on these seals require a slow speed break in before putting the unit to work. This will minimize early leakage or seepage problems.

With the Chairman and Treasurer of our organization taking on new employment they will be unable to resume their duties. The group elected Rod Cymbaluk from Asarco as our new Chairman and Steve Volkert from AngloGold as Treasurer. These positions will be a two-year term with the remaining two board positions due for reelection in January of 2003.

AngloGold has been experiencing wheel stud breakage on the Clark 21D axles on EJC430 haul trucks. Possible solutions for this problem would be the rim and hub diameter measurements, stud torque and leaving the rim mounted on the truck verses pulling it when a tire change is required. Neil Miller from Sandvik/Midas will look into a contact person from Clark and Tamrock to possibly address this problem at our next meeting.

Drop box problems on the Tamrock 007’s continue to be a problem at one mine. Suggested that the amount of remote operations could be one of the causes. Tamrock has implemented updates on the spline area oil requirements on these boxes. It is still unclear on whether to check the oil with the machine running or not. If anyone finds a clear answer on this let the group know.

Getchell gave us an update on the cab modifications they did on the Elphinstone 1600’s. It reduced the dB from 92 to 78 but required and air conditioning unit to cool the cab. This unit was mounted on the transmission cover, which adds some difficulty in checking the transmission oil. It was noted in the NIOSH studies that any opening in the windshields that were installed on drills and bolters would negate any sound improvements. Along with this, NIOSH has completed the noise studies at various mines in the area and should have numbers available soon. We’ll keep you posted.

Dave Starbuck from Newmont supplied information on the DPM issues. The new MSHA regulations require documentation’s that the mechanics are trained properly and engines are to have the ventilation certification tag on them. By July 19^th, 2002 each machine is to not exceed 400 micro grams of dpm per cubic meter of air. A deadline delay on this ruling may happen. Newmont is testing soot filters, which remove 90-95% of soot, but the nitrous oxide levels are higher. These tests are being done on Elphinstone and Wagner machines. They are checking at where the exhaust is in relationship to the intake for test purposes and as with any reading consistency in test procedures is a requirement.

Representatives from Elko area mines went to Utah to talk with Steve Forbush from Canyon Fuel on what he has done in reducing Diesel Particulate. By adjusting engine timing closer to TDC and matching torque converter with engine stall rpm’s, they have lowered carbon monoxide PPM’s from 1700 to 150 without the use of after filters. They do run water filters and the tests were done on non-electronic engines. Electronic engines would be harder to adjust engine timing due to higher fuel injections pressures and Rpm’s would come up before the torque converter engages.

AngloGold is having problems with their adjustable length jammer attachment filling up with concrete. They wanted to know if any one has tried an outside slide for the tube next to the push blade. Newmont has had one built by Mentaberry but it was heavy and caused stab cylinder problems. Getchell designed one that works well on an Elphinstone machine. The general consensus is a solid fixed boom, which eliminates maintenance, concerns and minimizes costs.

If you have a problem or concern for the group you could post it on the site for all the members to view to get a quick answer rather than waiting up to four months for the next WRUMM meeting.

Meeting Locations:

1. Steve Forbush 4. Normet 7. Besser
2. Ed Tomany State Mine 5. Ford Tractors 8. John Deer
3. Theisen Team 6. Brake Supply 9. A1-Radiator

Let me know as soon as possible if there is someone you would like to hear from.

Cashman Fluid Analysis Lab----Bruce Morton

They gave an overview on the different types of sampling methods used. Some of the types of instruments are the ICP which measures wear elements, Carl Fisher which tests for actual water percentage, a closed cup flash tester for fuel dilution, antifreeze wet chemical test or acid reduction and an FT-IR inferred machine which uses light and wave lengths to test oil condition utilizing subtraction method using your virgin oil compared to your sample. Bruce also would welcome anyone who wants to tour his lab in Reno to come and do so.

Cummins Engines----Jim Asher - Joel Lerner - Mark Zimmerer

This group’s goal was to put the word out about their interests in the underground mining applications for Cummins engines. Cummins has been involved with underground for two years would welcome feedback on their products. They have tier 1 and 2 engines without MSHA approvals ranging from 55hp to 750hp. They currently have 4 tier 1 rated engines with MSHA approval in both electronic and mechanical. The group was presented a line card and brochure on the engine lines. If you give them a call they will come out to access your re-power needs.

Kloos Mechanical Services Inc.----Dave Warren

This is a machine shop in Tempe Arizona, which was started in 1995 by Gerald Kloos who had spent numerous years in the mining industry. It was sold to Dave Warren in 1999 who also worked in the mining industry. They supply a variety of after market parts for underground machines and pumps. They rebuild, machine, and repair rollovers, rock hammers gearboxes, align boring, build ups, sleeving, polishing and grinding. They are currently working on the patent process on the sleeve installation in the Tamrock HL500 drills. They invite any company that would like to send them a drill a quote on repairing what has in the past been an un-repairable unit. They have installed 8 sleeves in 500 bodies that tested and proved successful. They can be reached at 480-921-0393.

As we start the New Year I would like to thank all of you for support of WRUMM association. There have been a lot of equipment issues and new regulations that have been placed before us and as a group of maintenance teams we have and will continue to solve them. It has been a pleasure serving as acting chairman in the absence of John Cashell and I would also like to congratulate Rod Cymbaluk on his election success and I look forward to working with him this year. Our new treasurer, Steve Volkert from AngloGold will be another welcome addition. Again congratulations to both of these gentleman.

The WRUMM website base server crashed and the site has been down for some time. It is back up again but work is being done on some areas. Have patience; the provider is working diligently to get it completed.

We have a contact list of current members but to improve our organization we need to bring more members to the meeting, which brings more ideas, and better practices, which we will all benefit from. As ideas present themselves, please keep us informed, as we need to continue to grow and enhance the WRUMM. Thanks for your participation and I look forward to seeing you in Elko in June.

Dave Starbuck

Vice Chairman WRUMM