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Learn how Kinross Gold improved crushing performance through optimized drilling and blasting practices at Maricunga Mine in Chile. The process, results, and impacts are detailed. Significant improvements were achieved, leading to cost reduction and increased production levels.
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February 2015 DRILLING AND BLASTING OPTIMIZATIONKinross maricunga Jorge Flores - CMM CristobalMimica - CMM Benjamin Cebrián - BC
ISEE – 41st International conference – New Orleans , USA SUMMARY In early 2013, Kinross Gold’s Maricunga Mine (Region III, Chile) decided to pursue improved D&B practices to improve crushing performance. The sequence of re-thinking the processes, evaluating options, and achieving positive results is presented here.
ISEE – 41st International conference – New Orleans , USA INDEX • Site Description • First Approach – D&B symptoms • Audit • Follow up • Main improvements • Final Impacts
ISEE – 41st International conference – New Orleans , USA DESCRIPTION of KINROSS MARICUNGA SITE • MINE SITE • High Andes at 4200 y 4700 m.a.s.l. • 185 Km East Copiapo. • Winter: -30° to -5 °C. Summer: 0° to 20 °C. • Snow: 1 m/yr average • Wind: Up to 100 Km/hour • Humidity: 20% to 40% RH. DEPOSIT The rock densities 2.37 and 2.57 t/m3 low grade gold deposit – 0.5 to 1.3 g/t grade The rock hardness 40 to 150 MPa CHILE Maricunga Mine Pancho Pit 2009 to 2016. Z = 4700 m.a.s.l.
ISEE – 41st International conference – New Orleans , USA FIRST APPROACH Real problems observed Symptoms observed
ISEE – 41st International conference – New Orleans , USA FIRST APPROACH Why we have high blasting costs and very poor performance in the rock fragmentation? Why we have high-energy blasting with a very poor performance in the rock fragmentation? Do we have the cattaking care of the meat? Mr. Benjamin Cebrian – Blast Consult, was hired as an independent consultant to complete a Whole Audit, reviewing Maricunga’s D&B practices Some examples of the fragmentation performance
ISEE – 41st International conference – New Orleans , USA AUDIT SUMMARY OUTPUT – BLAST DYNAMICS May 2013 The average value in the global industry is 2,94 The average overall score was below versus other mines in the industry.
ISEE – 41st International conference – New Orleans , USA SOME OBSERVATIONS 31% de tacos cortos 57% de pozos cortos 12% de tacos largos
ISEE – 41st International conference – New Orleans , USA SOME OBSERVATIONS
ISEE – 41st International conference – New Orleans , USA FOCUS • Drilling Practices: • Build a D&B design matrix based on hardness and Rock Mass Classification (FF). • QAQC of the drilling (over drilling / short holes / xyz / etc.). • Pre-Blast Practices: • Change the use of 100% emulsion (1.34 gr/cm3) to 100% ANFO (0.8 gr/cm3) – Energy Blasting Criteria.(50% reduction) • QAQC of explosive blended in the hole.. • Blasting Practices: • Timing sequence re-definition • Blasting documents with pre and post analysis (CI). • Focus onto main customer – Crushing Performance. • General Practices: • D&B should take back control of the process. • Improving integration between key areas involved -- D&B & Geology & Operations & Geomechanics & Mine Planning.
ISEE – 41st International conference – New Orleans , USA FIRST RESULTS – DEC 2013 AUDIT RE-VISIT
ISEE – 41st International conference – New Orleans , USA FIRST RESULTS – DEC 2013 AUDIT RE-VISIT
ISEE – 41st International conference – New Orleans , USA FIRST RESULTS – DEC 2013 AUDIT RE-VISIT Before improvement After improvement
ISEE – 41st International conference – New Orleans , USA FIRST RESULTS – DEC 2013 AUDIT RE-VISIT Before: Load Factor Now: Energy Factor
ISEE – 41st International conference – New Orleans , USA FIRST RESULTS – DEC 2013 AUDIT RE-VISIT Additionally, the boulder problem was solved.
ISEE – 41st International conference – New Orleans , USA FOLLOW UP - DEC 2013 AUDIT RE-VISIT 12% improvement
ISEE – 41st International conference – New Orleans , USA 2014 RESULTS – DEC 2014 AUDIT 2ND RE-VISIT 90% reduction of Boulder Events. Wall Damage Control. Significant Improvement into crests of final walls.
ISEE – 41st International conference – New Orleans , USA 2014 RESULTS – DEC 2014 AUDIT 2ND RE-VISIT 29% overall improvement Top 5 World Class Standard
ISEE – 41st International conference – New Orleans , USA 2014 RESULTS – DEC 2014 AUDIT 2ND RE-VISIT Before improvement After improvement Before improvement After improvement 8% primary YTD crusher tonnage Significant Improvement size distribution
ISEE – 41st International conference – New Orleans , USA 2014 RESULTS – DEC 2014 AUDIT 2ND RE-VISIT Production Performance Improvement. Significant Improvement into YTD processed tonnage. 8% improvement +1.2 Mton THE PRODUCTION LEVELS WERE GREATLY INCREASED WITH AN IMPORTANT COST REDUCTION Mid 2013 Pre-Audit Budget cost estimated USD$ 2.7M – Cost Avoidance USD$ 300k - Cost Savings
ISEE – 41st International conference – New Orleans , USA CONCLUSION Can weimprovefragmentation and reduce the D&B cost? • YES!!!! • 1.2 Mtonmaincrushingover 2014 Budget - BestYearEver • USD $300k directsavingson 2014 • USD $2.7M costavoidance.