Western Region
Of
Underground Master Mechanics
March 2, 2006
WRUMM Staff
Dorian Dunn – Chairman
Brent Saddoris – Vice Chairman
Steve Volkert – Treasurer
Place: Stockmen’s Hotel
City:
Dorian covered the ground rules for our new forum for this meeting. We want to share common best practices in maintenance and safety. We encourage all participants to share something, but it is not required. This meeting is not intended to bash the OEMs.
We again started this meeting with a best practice share. We hope that people don’t take this too literal, the statement “best practice”, is simply an opportunity for everyone to share with the group any area of maintenance that they feel is working well for their respective companies. It is also an opportunity to just let the group know of any new happenings at your mine. It also provides the group and opportunity to ask questions and perhaps gain some in-sight for things that could be implemented at different sites. As we come across subjects that stir a lot of conversation, we will ask that person to prepare a presentation on the topic at the next meeting.
Turquoise Ridge
Turquoise Ridge has just been purchased by Barrick Gold Corp. This change has slowed progress on a CMMS standardization project.
A few new trucks have been purchased, one was to be in service very soon and the second one was to be delivered very soon. There is some concern about the size of these trucks compared to the size of the mine workings.
A DPM monitoring/control project is about to get started and TRJV is open to any help they can get.
Several maintenance technicians from TRJV were present and in attendance. This meeting was new for them and they did not know what to expect. They were here to see what they could learn from this experience.
A dedicated PM program has just been started in which the PM was to be performed first and then the backlog repairs following immediately after the PM. At the same time, production was ramped up and the feeling is that this is putting some added stress to the PM program. The backlog repair portion is being carried over into night shift and they are not sure of the quality as a result.
Arch Coal
Skinner shared a safety experience he recently had in a similar setting to the WRUMM meeting. He mentioned that he was in a corporate office for a safety meeting and some point the group recognized that they did not even know where the emergency exits where located in that particular building. He then asked the group if we knew where our emergency exits where located for this meeting. The group talked about this and located our emergency exits.
Queenstake
On the topic of safety, it was mentioned that all of our programs are sound, however we need to work on getting these responsibilities down to the individual level for them to be effective.
The PM efficiency seems to be suffering as operations are wanting the equipment back sooner that the maintenance department wants to release the unit. They are working hard to get this back on track.
With all the new equipment and technology that has become available, we need to concentrate on getting our maintenance techs trained to deal with this.
NIOSH
NIOSH talked about DPM and gas emissions as being a total mine issue, not just a maintenance issue. We talked about getting help on this issue from the miners, engineers, and management in addition to the maintenance department.
It was mentioned that we need to change our thinking to treat emission issues as a mechanical failure, not just a compliance issue.
NIOSH is about to embark on a DPM project with Queenstake. We did not get a lot of detail on this subject, perhaps we can ask them to give us a presentation at our next meeting.
It was mentioned that we may have an opportunity to put on a DPM work shop. The work shop should involve all groups that have an affect on DPM, ventilation engineers, mine operations, mine maintenance, safety & health, management, and the OEM’s as all these groups have a stake in emissions.
A similar work shop has been set up for June at
Fleetguard/Cummins
Rocky Mountain
This group was in attendance to gain understanding of the challenges we face and help provide solutions were they can.
They had a safety share involving an over the road truck at their shop. The truck had a dead battery and the maintenance technicians had strung together several extension cords and placed them across a low use road to get a battery charger to the truck. The weather changed and it started to rain, which left the extension cords not only in the road but also lying in puddles of water. The condition was discovered and work stopped until the situation was corrected. The moral of this story is constant awareness, not of the initial hazards, but also of the changing conditions.
Barrick
Barrick has started a concentrated effort on a few safety policies. It is referred to as “Cardinals Rules’. The initial results seem to be effective in raising awareness of not only the cardinal rules, but safety policies in total. Several departments are looking at the safety policies and identifying those in which the policy does not match the practice. As these are identified, a group of people are working towards matching policy to practice. In some cases, this may lead to policy adjustments and/or practice adjustments.
Mining methods have changed to a “zone” method. This methodology requires integration of the maintenance and operations departments. Several maintenance technicians are assigned to the operations department for breakdown repairs as well as training operators about care of the equipment. Additionally, operations has assigned work to be performed with the PM technicians as their equipment comes in the shop.
When asked by the group how this operation involvement was possible, the response was, it’s important to management and the operators are seeing the benefits.
Newmont
Newmont has started using root cause failure analysis in an effort to improve equipment performance. They have found that this tool is also very helpful to remove the emotions of equipment failures. The work hard at getting past failure itself and who was responsible for the failure, and work on identifying the system failures that caused the equipment failure.
It was mentioned that the industry has been forced to employ many new and in-experienced folks. This is putting the added stress on front line supervisors as they are charged with getting work done with new people while helping them stay safe.
General Discussion
It seemed like we had a lot of general discussion focused on three areas; emissions, PM performance and experienced maintenance technician shortages.
The group felt that we did better PM work when the price of gold was down. The group felt that we need concentrate on the basics and improve communications between operations and maintenance in order to be successful. Communication – Communication – Communication
On the issue of training, it was felt that we need to first get our in-experienced people trained on basic electrical and hydraulic theory before we can advance the training to more equipment specific training. There was much discussion about the effectiveness of the training classes. Most people felt that we need to get the technicians involved with using the training as soon as possible once the classes have been attended. Some companies have assigned certain projects as a “training center”. The company employs apprentices to work in these mines and the production expected from them are reasonably fit for the talent levels.
On the issue of emissions, Dorian Dunn will take the lead in exploring the possibilities of putting on a work shop. The intent is to get representation from as many mines as possible. The representation should include ventilation engineers, mine operations, mine maintenance, safety & health, management, and the OEM’s. If anyone is interested in the project, please contact Dorian at Dorian_Dunn@placerdome.com. (Dorian_Dunn)
Synthetic Fuel
Presentation – Lancer Industries, Greg Orrell
The presentation is attached to the emailing. This fuel is specifically blended for each site. Lancer Industries was also up front in saying this product alone will probably not get you in compliance with the DPM rule. Generally speaking, the horsepower loss is about 6% when using this product. It is expected that this product would be available at current fuel cost and an additional cost of $.75 to $.90
Fleetguard
Emission Solutions – Les Freeman
The presentation is attached to the emailing. Les talked to the group about two specific products, the NOx Reduction Catalyst and the Particulate Reactor.
Classic
Motors/Daimler Chysler – Dodge, Joe Betar
The presentation is attached to the emailing. Joe talked about a fuel calibration change that allows for reduced ventilation requirements on Dodge trucks. Classic Motors and Mico have come up with a heavy duty, sealed braking system on these trucks. The Dodge representatives would like to work towards grouping all the mines in the area to be considered as one buyer to leverage pricing. Also, with some minor compliance inspections and tooling, most any mine could become a “Dodge Dealer” and perform your own warranty work. It would also give you on-line access to parts and service manuals.
Dry Systems
Technologies, Tony Arbaney
The presentation is attached to the emailing. Dry Systems Technologies is a company that supplies replaceable/throw away soot filters. The systems can be tailored to fit most any applications.
The college is still supporting the MTC program, which allows mines to interview and sponsor students through the technical programs. The college is asking for more support on this project.
The college has four instructors for the technical programs, two of them are assigned to provide contract training to the mines. The contract training has concentrated on general basic and advance courses in hydraulics and electrical training. The courses have now been scheduled to coincide with the rotating shifts of several mines. This allows students to take basic courses on a long change and complete the advance section on their following long change. Starting in the fall of 2006, the college will be offering advanced/specific training. The exact courses have not been established but this is going to be an emphasis in the fall. Advanced hydraulic trainers have been purchased for these courses, one of them is an electronically controlled hydraulic trainer from Rory Maclaren. Failure analysis will be added to student core classes and will be offered as contract training for the mines.
Brett is working towards accumulating credits for students that have taken contract training courses with the intent to help them get a certificate or an A.S. Students can accrue up to 15 credits for current work experience, they can also challenge up to 15 credits to earn a total of 30 credits. It usually takes about 60 credits to get an A.S. and it is required that you get 15 of these credits from taking courses at the college.
The college is working on establishing a
The college would like more input from industry on the advisory board. If anyone is interested in getting involved, contact Brett Murphy at 775-753-2217 or bmurphy@gbcnv.edu
The presentation is attached to this emailing. Brain gave the group an overview of the Bobcat 5600 Tool Cat and the Kubota L4330 Boss Buggy. The Tool Cat is an off the shelf product and the Boss Buggy has several in house modifications for use underground. The Boss Buggy has structural improvements for mounting the fenders and rear basket. The rear basket is also designed to be removed easily for service on the rear end of the tractor. There was some question on the Bobcat 5600 Tool Cat engine on the MSHA ID number for the engine. The engine in this machine now has an ID number, 07-ENA060001 for the turbo engine and 07-ENA050008 for the non-turbo engine.
Next Meeting Vendor List
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