Heather Latter
Picture partly-assembled Tonka trucks—only on a much larger scale.
That is what the site of New Gold’s Rainy River Project currently looks like; a large gravel pad filled with massive yellow truck components and a crew diligently working to piece the equipment together.
“It looks much different out here than it did a few months ago,” said Grant Goddard, the project’s general manager.
“It looks much different than it did on Friday,” echoed maintenance superintendent Leo Faykes, citing they began receiving truck loads of equipment pieces earlier this month and work has begun to assemble the humongous equipment.
In total, there will be six Komatsu 830E trucks, a WA1200 loader, and two PC5500 shovels, as well as several bulldozers and other support equipment.
Goddard explained the 830E trucks carry over 240 tons of material and use a 2,500 horsepower engine, while the diesel-powered shovels can load the 240 ton trucks in four to five bucket loads and each shovel can weigh almost 1,200,000 pounds.
About half of the 120 truck loads of equipment components have arrived and three of the 830E trucks are currently being assembled.
Maintenance manager Doug Desaulniers noted the first truck is expected to be complete by Sept. 1.
Faykes indicated it takes a lot of hours and manpower to put together the massive equipment.
For instance, the trucks take 19 days each to assemble, with a crew of 14 putting the roughly 40 pieces together.
Meanwhile, the shovels take 30 days each to assemble, with the first expected to be competed by mid-September.
Faykes added each truck cost about $3 million U.S. and are electric.
“They are quieter and more environmentally friendly,” he voiced, indicating since people live near the mine site, using quieter equipment is part of New Gold’s commitment, as is their focus on the environment.
“It’s nice to see things starting to come together,” Goddard remarked, adding that, once assembled, the equipment will be ready to start pit development in October.
But before that can happen, he added New Gold needs employees to run the equipment.
“All of this equipment won’t move any material without operators and maintainers,” he stressed.
They advertised last month for the positions of surface miners and maintenance team and have received about 1,000 applications in total, with the deadline to apply on Monday (Aug. 17).
Goddard noted the “first wave” of surface miners is comprised of about 82 positions.
“We are looking for 12 people to start in October in order to have some trained and ready for when the big wave comes,” he explained. “We will be looking for individuals to train, mentor, and coach less experienced employees.”
The bulk of the surface miners will be starting between January and March of 2016.
Meanwhile, the maintenance team will consist of seven positions starting Oct. 1, with more positions being added in early 2016.
“We had a really good response from local people, but because the positions were posted online, we got applications from everywhere,” Goddard noted. “But we are pleased with what we are seeing from the local side.”
He added the human resources department is busy going through the applications, and scheduling and conducting interviews.
“We will be needing to get offers in place fairly soon,” Goddard mentioned about the initial positions.
Goddard also mentioned they are looking into apprenticeship programs and are piloting a Surface Miner Operator training program.
“It will focus on haul truck driver training and production drill training,” he said, citing these operations are critical components to maximizing productivity for an open pit mining operation.
“Participants completing this program will gain specific skills that could lead to employment,” he noted.
And Goddard added the project is continuing on track.
“We are pretty excited and proud,” he enthused. “There is still lots of work and it seems like more work everyday, but we are seeing progress.”
Desaulnier noted the team on site has been spectacular and everyone is working hard.
“Safety is paramount,” Faykes stressed. “Everything is so big and so heavy that if anyone has any concerns, we will stop and address them.”
In fact, Goddard was happy to note that as of Aug. 1, New Gold had accumulated two million man-hours without a lost time incident.
“So that is always a good sign,” he voiced. “Within New Gold, there were lots of congratulations to the team on that.”
Goddard said he’s looking forward to continuing on in a safe, productive, and efficient manner, with some training and drilling expected to begin in September.
