Reducing operational costs optimizing drilling and blasting parameters

  • Customer : CODELCO GMD |
  • Pain point : Reduce costs |
  • Market segment : Open-Pit |
  • Solution : EMTS |
  • Location : Chile |
Situation

Meeting established cost targets

Gabriela Mistral Division, owned by CODELCO, operates an open-pit copper mine in Chile’s Antofagasta region. Changes in the drilling and blasting processes are needed to meet its cost targets in 2023 and comply with the plant’s granulometric curve. Although the current parameters achieved the defined fragmentation curve, there was room for improvement in the percentage of material below 2 inches, leading to cost savings for the operation.

Challenge

Propose a cost-reducing design while maintaining fragmentation standards without impacting crusher feed, floor condition, downstream loading, and processing.

The team put in a tremendous effort, with Enaex serving as a strategic partner in pursuit of our shared goal of cutting operating costs, particularly at GMD, a low-grade mine. Their experts made a significant contribution, helping us reduce costs by up to 35% in April. This was made possible by the high quality of the rock and the successful collaboration between Enaex and the Gabriela Mistral Division.

Estefany Tobar,
Chief Engineer of Drilling and Blasting, GMD CODELCO

Solution

A tailor-made design

Our EMTS team presented a technical proposal with performance estimates to our client, which we then tested and analyzed for positive results. Thanks to their efforts, we could modify and increase drilling and blasting parameters and effectively implement these changes in the field, reducing cost per blast.

Key features
Results

44% overall cost reduction
By implementing our strategies, we decreased the load factor, which led to a 44% reduction in blasting expenses by 2023. Furthermore, we improved the drilling rate by 29% and successfully met the plant’s requested curve, achieving a P80 and ore percentage of less than 2″.

Stronger bonds

Initially, we were meeting our operational targets, but the cost associated with blasting was high. However, in light of CODELCO’s new cost targets, we forged stronger ties with them and worked transparently. This enabled us to progress further and share our achievements with them.