Analysis of the Impact of Rock Size (P80) on the Mining Operational Chain: From Haulage to Gold Recovery

Mujica Cabrera J.A.; Campos Cueva M.G.; Mujica Cabrera J.A. · World Gold Conference - 2025 Proceedings (2025)

Resumen

Approximately 70% of the investment in a mining complex is dedicated to loading and hauling activities. Good rock fragmentation can result in substantial cost savings. This case is based on the Summa Gold mining operation - Huamachuco, La Libertad, Peru. This paper will focus on determining the influence of rock size (P80), which according to plant standards should be less than 3 inches for ore and, according to the geotechnics area, waste rock must be 8 inches. The rock size is closely related to the performance of loading and haulage equipment and also impacts metallurgical recovery. To maintain the highest possible efficiency in both loading and haulage equipment and metallurgical recovery, various controls are implemented in drilling and blasting. These controls will be discussed, and the results obtained from field tests will be presented, including P80 fragmentation measurement, equipment performance, and metallurgical recovery.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca