Abstract

TRUJILLO LUNARIO, Juan Elvys  and  MALLEA CALIZAYA, David Milton. Alternativa de explotacion de rajos por chimeneas en vetas angostas en la empresa Minera Huanuni. REV. MAMYM [online]. 2020, vol.5, n.1, pp.40-56. ISSN 2519-5352.

Abstract Underground mining operations, such as the Huanuni Mining Company and most of the mines in Bolivia, use very traditional methods, without making major innovations, and therefore have lagged far behind. A new exploitation alternative would be feasible and profitable, if productivity and current working conditions are improved. Currently, the Huanuni mining site, in its different veins, is being exploited by the "Shrinkage" method, which dates back to the 1970s and has been chosen for the unique mechanical, geological and metric characteristics of this site. Given the current low operating efficiencies at the Huanuni mine, it has been proposed to propose an operating variant that allows for better profitability and productivity indicators for the company; This method, called "exploitation by chimneys in narrow veins", will also solve the current drawbacks of ventilation, accumulation of loads and the auxiliary "licks" that are carried out by solidification processes, caking, cementing, etc., of loads in the presence high humidity and temperature. The geological conditions of the deposit do not allow great changes; however, the proposed new method proposal is adapted to current conditions, improving the unit operating cost from $ 31.57 to $ 30.00 / ton. Production planning will reach 350 Tn / day in the Keller vein sector, for a period of five years; thus improving productive extraction in the Huanuni Mining Company by 78%.

Keywords : Exploitation of pits; Chimney exploitation; Narrow streaks.