DBS Canada’s remote gold mine critical service delivery

The team at DBS Canada carried out the successful delivery of a time-sensitive and complex service project for a valued, long-standing customer in the mining industry. This project supported operations at a gold mine located in one of the most remote regions of northern Canada, just below the Arctic Circle.

The project involved the routine maintenance of a 13,000kg Main SAG Mill gearbox, a vital component driving the mine’s grinding operations. While the maintenance itself was scheduled, the circumstances surrounding the job made it exceptionally critical. Due to the extreme climate, the region remains frozen for most of the year, with only a narrow window between June and September when the Arctic waters thaw enough to allow the transport of large equipment by way of a barge. This year the thaw was delayed, and the gearbox arrived at our facilities in mid-July, leaving a very limited timeframe to complete the work before the final barge departure in mid-September. Missing this deadline would have meant the equipment could not be returned until the following summer - a delay that was simply not an option for our customer’s operations.

Understanding the gravity of the situation, our team responded with precision and commitment to ensure the project was completed on time. We had pre-purchased bearings and seals, scheduled our expert technicians in advance, and maintained a standby team ready to begin work immediately upon arrival of the unit. The gearbox was fully disassembled, inspected, and serviced - including bearing and seal replacement – alongside a comprehensive inspection report.

The gearbox was successfully reassembled and dispatched on schedule, ensuring it made the final barge north, ready to resume operation in the harsh Arctic environment.

This project is a testament to the trust our customer places in David Brown Santasalo, having relied on our expertise for this critical service every 2-3 years now. We are honoured to be their chosen partner for such high-stakes work, and we take great pride in delivering reliable, timely service under challenging conditions.