- Field service teams from ABB and the mining company restored optimum gearless mill drive (GMD) operations in Dominican Republic
- Barrick-led site experienced minimal downtime due to effective collaboration, fast mobilisation and real-time problem solving
- Successful early execution of a preventive maintenance service strengthens long-term partnership with mine operator
ABB has successfully completed a gearless mill drive (GMD) service scope at Barrick’s Pueblo Viejo gold mine in the Dominican Republic during a planned maintenance shutdown. Delivered as part of an ongoing long-term service agreement (LTSA), ABB’s field service team worked with the site operators to restore essential GMD infrastructure that had been in operation for more than a decade.
With shutdown time tightly limited to protect the mine’s production target of 650,000 oz of gold in 2025 [1], the service specialists executed their plan. Their expert response avoided unscheduled downtime and minimized planned downtime, ensuring production continuity at the nationally important mine which contributes nearly 2 percent to GDP [2].
A major part of the mission was optimising stator winding fixations, following a detailed mapping inspection. A planned shutdown window of 150 hours was scheduled, requiring precise coordination. The intervention was a large-scale operation, involving the mobilisation of a team of ABB field service engineers, comprehensive tooling and materials logistics to ensure efficient execution.
“Pueblo Viejo is an important part of our portfolio and our operations, so we rely on high levels of equipment and machinery availability,” said Victor Martinez, Pueblo Viejo Section Manager - Process. “Working with ABB under our long-term service agreement provides a partnership approach in which our operations teams can work together side-by-side. As the manufacturer of our gearless mill drive systems, ABB was ideally placed to execute this crucial work scope.”
“This project reflects ABB’s commitment to mission-critical field service delivery,” said Martin Gerhard, Lifecycle Manager for Gearless Mill Drive, ABB Process Industries. “It also clearly shows the value of regular GMD inspections focused on preventive and predictive maintenance.”
Pueblo Viejo mine is located approximately 100 kilometers northwest of the Dominican capital Santo Domingo and is operated by the Pueblo Viejo Dominicana Corporation – a joint venture between Barrick (60%) and Newmont (40%). First production occurred in 2012.
ABB’s GMDs are designed to eliminate all mechanical drivetrain components and are used to run some of the world’s largest grinding mills, essential mine infrastructure that crush ore, separating the valuable mineral from the remaining rock. These GMDs deliver more efficient, reliable operations with lower emissions, helping the industry meet the demands for minerals critical to a low carbon future. Maximising the output of various critical minerals and metals is vital as the world electrifies and decarbonises.
ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalisation expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and around 110,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com
ABB’s Process Automation business automates, electrifies and digitalises industrial operations that address a wide range of essential needs – from supplying energy, water and materials, to producing goods and transporting them to market. With its ~20,000 employees, leading technology and service expertise, ABB Process Automation helps process, hybrid and maritime industries outrun – leaner and cleaner. go.abb/processautomation
[1] Midpoint of market guidance. Market guidance for 2025 is 617koz – 683koz at 100%
[2] Value for the DR - Barrick | Un lugar de valor
GMDs deliver efficient, reliable operations with lower emissions, helping the industry meet the demands for metals and miner.jpg 
ABB's field service team worked alongside their counterparts at Barrick's Pueblo Viejo gold mine. Image ABB
