The open pit mining consist of four deposits: La India, America, Mestiza, and CBX.
The study envisages the development of a large open pit to exploit the La India deposit, which is planned to be approximately 1,275 m long, 475 m wide, with a maximum depth of 370 m. The main geotechnical challenge to the project is the variability in rockmass strength. Several large-scale structures exist in the pit area. Most of these are favourably orientated; however, a few structures are unfavourably orientated or positioned, and thus may affect the stability of some of the slopes.
SRK proposed the following slope geometry for all fresh rock slopes to be used when developing the engineered pit, to achieve the recommended inter-ramp angle:
• 20 m bench height;
• 75° bench face angle;
• 8 m berm width;
• 100 m maximum stack height;
• 30 m ramp/geotechnical berm width; and
• 56° inter-ramp angle.
The overall slope angle is therefore governed by the overall slope height and overburden thickness.
An overall slope angle of 40° has been assumed when developing optimised pits for America, Mestiza and CBZ.
All OP mines are expected to be conventional drill, blast, load and haul operations, with material hauled to the WRD, LG stockpile, or directly tipped at the crusher.
Two Mining Contractors, Espinoza Ingenioros S.A. and Explotec, were approached by the Client in 2019, to provide quotes for the potential min ........
