Clouet Casté, Á & Guzmán Henriquez, M 2024, 'Application of a Lean management methodology to improve ore pass construction attained to complex geotechnical conditions – Andes Norte’s mine project ', in Daniel Johansson & Håkan Schunnesson (eds), MassMin 2024: Proceedings of the International Conference & Exhibition on Mass Mining, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, pp. 93-113.
(https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/2435_A-09/)
Abstract: One of the biggest challenges of underground mining is developing and extracting raw materials at greater depths. In the case of “El Teniente”, the largest coppers’ underground mine with more than 100 years of history, creating new mines under scenarios of extreme rock stress changes in the primary zone and high seismicity involves difficulties for the permanent infrastructure construction. The Andes Norte NNM project (CODELCO) is one of the deep-located mine construction projects that will provide copper to the company for over 50 years. During the course of the project, the construction of ore passes between the Extraction Level (NP) and the Haulage Level (NTI) presented a series of unique challenges. These included a rockslide, low auto-support walls during excavation, and significant efforts required during the shielding and assembly of structural components. These obstacles were met with innovative solutions, which will be detailed in the following sections. This article will explore the innovative solutions achieved in developing the Raise Boring activity (ore pass excavation) and the shielding process. These solutions were made possible by a new technology known as BMP (mechanized shielding ore pass), which was conceptualized and designed by the project team. The successful implementation of these milestones was a testament to the productivity management system, a continuous improvement methodology that relies on the collaborative efforts of various engineering disciplines. The primary aim of this paper is to showcase the successful results of the Shielding process stage and other activities, all of which have shown promising results in the progressive improvement through Lean Tools. In addition, a proposal is considered to design and execute a reinforcement system and perimeter consolidation before the excavation of ore passes, which is mentioned as a backup alternative to the process.