Western Region

The Vice Chairman, Dave Starbuck started out the meeting with introductions of the members. There were 23 members present for the meeting. Dave explained to the group that we had postponed electing a new chairman at the last meeting because we did not feel like we had a good representation from the association at that meeting. We had good attendance at this meeting, so we decided to hold the election of a new chairman today. Dave asked the group to be thinking of nominees in the morning, as we will be selecting a new Chairman a little later in the morning.

Ben Lupercio explained to the group that we are trying to change the format of our meetings a little bit. We will be looking to have more presentations on topics of interest rather than devoting all of our time to conversation on the same topics. We had several presentations lined up for the day and we will not be spending a lot of time going over the old business section.

Business Report

Steve Volkert gave the group and update of our financial situation; we currently have $3,213 in our account. Steve also gave a brief explanation of how the money is spent to promote the group and some money is used to pay for the facilities we use to hold our meetings.

Nuts and Bolts Session

Wagner:

We held a discussion of part availability on Wagner equipment. We reviewed our thoughts on using an equipment list from all the mines in the area to help Atlas Copco justify increasing shelf stock in Elko. Ben Lupercio had been assigned to collect the equipment lists and distribute to the group. This has not been completed at this time, we will try to have this completed before the next meeting.

Additionally, we can use the equipment lists as a resource of parts sharing between the mines. It is thought that a person could review the equipment list and call one of the mines running the same type of equipment if a part were to be needed immediately. This has happened in the past between some of the mines and could be improved upon by getting more mines involved.

Along these lines, Doug Crawford reported that as Hecla has been starting up equipment, they have had good success getting parts and support from Atlas Copco. It appears like there has been progress in this area.

Tractors:

Very little conversation was held on this topic as Anthony Sanchez will make a presentation on this topic today ( see attachments ). Take what you can from the presentation and we will move on to new topics.

Equipment Washing:

Again, we had very little conversation on this subject as Bud Lauderback will make a presentation on this topic today ( see attachments ).

Bud sent out a survey to collect some information on this topic to present today. The results of this survey are included as well as a suppliers list of chemicals used to deal with concrete build up. Bud had brought this supplier to Queenstake and attested to the results of the testing that was performed. The product seemed to work well on thin layers of concrete build up.

Denice Cerini, from Chemco, talked on this subject. As mentioned previously, the product appears to work well on thin layers of concrete, but the key to its use is in prevention. Denice talked about some of the products that her company sells that are used as “release agents”. Chemco works will many concrete companies and explained that these companies use the concrete cleaning agents first, then apply and maintain a “release agent” to their equipment to prevent the build up after the units have been cleaned. We will attach the product description sheets and Chemco’s line card. For more information on these products you can contact Denice at 775-427-4494.

Tires:

Took an impromptu survey of how many people were storing tires at pressure vs. storing tires at 15 P.S.I. It looks like most people are storing tires at 15 P.S.I.

Several mines are hearing that tire availability is becoming an issue. This issue is more prevalent for the bigger surface equipment tires, however, it can effort some of our larger underground equipment. It has been reported by some suppliers, that this may eventually start to affect even some of our smaller tires on support equipment.

It was reported that some of the tire manufactures are not accept any new customers because they can’t deliver tires to the current customers. They have also been delivering tires on a discretionary basis decided upon by the manufacture. The manufactures are trying to deliver enough tires to keep all the mines running, but again, they will be allocating the deliveries to try to balance the need. Ultimately it will be up to the mines to take better care of their tires as they may not be able to get them.

Accident Damage:

Queenstake reported that they are having good success with the damage reports they started using. It was their feeling that most of the damage they have is coming from a small group of people, which can then lead to concentrated improvements in this area.

It was also mentioned that we maintenance guys, need to be diligent in repairing even minor damage so that people don’t become complacent and start accepting large damages as normal business.

Additionally, we need to carefully decide which damage to report. For example, if we have remote mockers working in unsupported ground and something happens to fall on the loader causing damage, we should look at that as a cost of doing business.

Fall Restraint:

Some mines have installed a cable tie off in the wash bays to be in compliance with MSHA regulations. It was felt that if the tie off is provided and easy to use, it will be used.

Website:

Our website has been updated and a new web master has been selected to maintain the site. There are some general access pages available without a password and there is more information available with a password. If anyone needs a password contact one of the officers and we will get you set up.

NEW BUSINESS

DPM & Noise:

Denny Stout gave the group a presentation on the things that Stillwater has been working on for DPM and noise compliance. See attachments.

Haul Trucks:

Smith Detroit Diesel has installed an electric shift control in the haul trucks at Queenstake as a low tech way of modulating transmission shift. The shift controls must be down shifted from the highest gear all the way down to the lowest gear prior to changing direction. This prevents operations from making high speed direction changes and damaging transmissions, drivelines, etc.

Turquoise Ridge is in the process of purchasing trucks, Paul Tafoya asked the group if they had any feeling on seat position on trucks. Some trucks have a side sitting seat with joystick steering controls and other have forward sitting seats with steering wheels. Most of the group had some variation of both and answers were mixed.

Greens Creek is using electric Telma retarders on their haul trucks. As a result, they have improved brake life.

Remote Controls:

Midas reported that they had a Catron remote control fail and as a result, one of their loaders was starting up and articulated on its own. It also set off the fire suppression system and hoisted the bucket. It was determined that the remote control had a failure on the motherboard. This was brought up not to bash the supplier, but rather to keep people informed of the serious safety factors involved with remote controls.

Great Basin College:

GBC has started classes directed at the needs of the local mines. They put out a schedule for the fall and the spring calendar should be out very soon. It was mentioned that the college wants input from the local mines. They are looking for classes that we want them to have for the summer semester and beyond. The college is also willing to be a facilitator for equipment specific classes of special interest classes tailored to specific mines need. The group made some suggestions for the classes we would like to see, but if anyone would like to make a request, please send them to an officer and we can direct them to the college.

The classes that have been held this fall have had good results. Most people agree that the classes have been beneficial and noted that the Clark Transmission class scheduled in December should be very good as Emerald West will be teaching the class.

Chairman Election:

Dave Starbuck gave a description of officers’ duties to start of the discussion. A nomination and election was held. Bud Lauderback was selected to take over as Chairman.

DPM & Engine Performance:

Steve Forbush talked about DPM controls and how they affect engine performance. Arch coal has been testing exhaust filters, regenerating filters, fuel mixtures and a variety of other things. To summarize this discussion, it is Steve’s opinion that there is no silver bullet out there to control DPM. Also, fuel additives will have to affect engine performance or they won’t work for DPM reductions. A person can’t use fuel additives and then increase engine horsepower to compensate or there will be no gain in DPM reduction.

Annual WRUMM Meeting Schedule.

A long range meeting schedule for 2005 has been set for our meetings. The meetings are going to be held on Thursdays in 2005. We will have meetings on the second weeks of March ( Reno ), July ( Elko ) and November ( Winnemucca ). We will set specific dates and agendas as we get closer to these times.

Next Meeting Vendor List

Master Builders – Mark Mudlin – Concrete Bloc

Telma Retarders – TBA

CPS- TBA – Air Compressor Efficiencies

Next Meeting Presentations

Dave Starbuck – Noise study from NIOSH

Smith Detroit/Queenstake – Electric Shift Control

Vendor Presentations

Open Loop Energy – Chuck Hoisington – Digital Hydraulic Test Bench

Chuck talked about the history and milestones of Open Loop Energy ( See Attachment ). We then had a discussion of hydraulic pumps and went through the testing procedures using the digital hydraulic test bench.