What's Happening?
ABB has successfully completed a gearless mill drive (GMD) service at Barrick's Pueblo Viejo gold mine in the Dominican Republic. The service was part of a planned maintenance shutdown, aimed at optimizing stator winding fixations and ensuring production continuity. The operation involved a team of ABB field service engineers and required precise coordination within a 150-hour shutdown window. The intervention was crucial to maintaining the mine's production target of 650,000 ounces of gold in 2025, avoiding unscheduled downtime and minimizing planned downtime.
Why It's Important?
The successful completion of the GMD service at Pueblo Viejo is vital for maintaining high levels of equipment availability and production efficiency at the mine. This operation underscores the importance of preventive and predictive maintenance in the mining industry, which is essential for meeting production targets and reducing operational risks. The partnership between ABB and the mine operators highlights the value of long-term service agreements in ensuring reliable and efficient operations. The project also contributes to the broader goal of maximizing mineral output as the world moves towards electrification and decarbonization.
