Turquoise Ridge JV uses condition-based
programs to help achieve their goal
A maintenance program tailored to specific objectives helps Turquoise Ridge see measurable results
 As a joint venture between two of the largest gold companies in the world, Barrick
Gold Corporation and Newmont, Turquoise Ridge Joint Venture (TRJV) sees
maintenance and reliability of its fleet as being extremely critical to its success.
The Turquoise Ridge property is a joint venture between Barrick Gold Corporation and
Newmont Nevada, located in the Potosi Mining District northeast of Winnemucca, NV.
Turquoise Ridge uses underhand cut-and-fill mining methods because of the typically
low rock quality in the region. The ore is transported to and processed at Newmont's
Twin Creeks mill. In 2009, the operation's production totaled 177k oz ounces of gold.
Their proven and probable reserves are estimated at 5.47m oz of gold.
In 2009, Jon Laird, Maintenance Superintendent at Turquoise Ridge, saw the need to improve their current maintenance
program. He was introduced to Dingo by Mike McDowell, Barrick's Asset Manager for North America. TRJV's objectives for their
site were threefold: 1) to reduce costs by avoiding unplanned breakdowns; 2) to increase planned maintenance, and 3) to reduce contract labor costs. Dingo put together a program tailored specifically to those goals, which was implemented in early 2010.
The project was designed to be executed in three phases:
- Training on oil sampling, contamination control and lubrication fundamentals for all maintenance staff and operators;
- Implementing and sustaining a Breakdown Avoidance (BDA) program using oil analysis;
- Implementing and sustaining a Condition Based Component Change (CBCC) program.
Currently, TRJV is in the second phase. The increased amount of planned work has allowed TRJV to
meet its operational goals, and the program has seen great success overall.
The relationship between TRJV and Dingo has grown to be mutually beneficial, with a Dingo program
manager onsite at least 25% of the time. The Dingo program is in line with TRJV's initiatives and has
allowed for smooth implementation of more positive maintenance practices.
Dingo's Senior Program Manager Chuck Tollman commented, "It has been my pleasure to work with Jon Laird and his team at
TRJV. Together, we are focused on meeting and exceeding TRJV's maintenance and production goals by improving equipment
reliability and extending component lives."
On the value of working with Dingo, Jon Laird noted, "Through coaching, training and follow-up with floor personnel, Dingo's
program has helped us increase our awareness which, in turn, has improved the quality of our work. The program has also
helped us enhance communications and improve the relationship between planning and execution while, at the same time,
building TRJV Operations' faith in Maintenance's abilities."
To learn more about the Barrick/Newmont joint venture at Turquoise Ridge, please visit:
www.barrick.com/GlobalOperations/NorthAmerica/TurquoiseRidgeJV/default.aspx
If you are interested in lubrication training programs offered by Dingo, you are invited to visit Dingo at www.dingo.com or contact us directly by phone or by e-mail at goverboe@dingo.com. In North America call +1 888 346-4630 and in Australia, call +61 7 3115 9000.
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