Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: MANUEL ESTEBAN CIFUENTES SALAZAR

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : MANUEL ESTEBAN CIFUENTES SALAZAR
DATE: 16/04/2024
TIME: 14:00
LOCAL: Plataforma Teams
TITLE:

Comparative Analysis of Underground Mining Methods: Room and Pillar vs. Longwall - A Case Study in a Gold Mine in Colombia

KEY WORDS:

Underground mining, exploitation methods, economic analysis, room and pillar, longwall, over-dilution, unplanned dilution.

PAGES: 129
BIG AREA: Engenharias
AREA: Engenharia de Minas
SUBÁREA: Lavra
SPECIALTY: Lavra de Mina Subterrânea
SUMMARY:

Underground gold mining is an economic activity that faces several technical and operational challenges. This work analyzes the possibility of replacing the method traditionally used in an underground gold mine with one that allows increasing mineral production volume by 10%. The implemented methodology is divided into three stages. In the first stage, data for the room and pillar method were collected. The collection included detailed tracking of material consumption and dilution measurement using a previously developed methodology. A two-month schedule was established for data collection, ensuring the representativeness of the database. In the second stage, experimental development of the longwall method took place, commencing operational activities after the review and approval of technical procedures. In addition to data collection, corrections were made based on observations to standardize the exploitation process. The third stage involves a quantitative analysis of the results obtained in the previous stages. Operational costs supported by information from both methods were compared, including economic, geomechanical, operational, and geological aspects. One of the most critical parameters addressed during the development of this study is dilution control, as its absence affects the profitability and efficiency of operations, thus playing a strategic role in method implementation. To prove the feasibility of this proposal, a detailed economic evaluation of operational costs was determined, from drilling, through primary ore transportation, to the chutes. Additionally, a protocol for dilution calculation was developed, defining the height of production cuts and guidelines to follow for conducting necessary measurements in dissertation development. Detailed control of material consumption throughout the process was maintained to contrast theoretical and practical values, in order to determine unit production costs for each of the methods. The results indicate an increase in operational efficiency and profitability with the implementation of the new method. In addition to practical proposals to optimize production, the importance of dilution control in the adopted methodology is highlighted, providing a solid basis for evaluating the technical and economic feasibility of longwall method implementation.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - ALLAN ERLIKHMAN MEDEIROS SANTOS
Interno - MICHEL MELO OLIVEIRA - UFMG
Interno - HILDOR JOSE SEER
Externo à Instituição - JOSÉ MARGARIDA DA SILVA - UFOP