All of the currently active operations are underground mines. The mining method for each reserve is as follows:
- GBC: block/panel cave mine.
- DMLZ: block/panel cave mine.
- BG: open stope mine.
- KL: block/panel cave mine.
Mine unit operations include drilling, blasting to develop access, undercuts, drawbell development, ore raise development, drawpoint development, cave initiation, as well as loading and hauling. Support equipment is used for maintaining underground access roads, underground crushers, conveyors, and other mine services.
Required underground mining equipment varies by individual operation and includes that equipment required to develop and construct the mines as well as production support. The primary mining fleet consists of load-haul-dump loaders with 11 metric ton capacity and haul trucks with 55 to 60 metric ton capacity.
The site infrastructure at PT-FI has been established over the history of the project and supports the current operations. The current major mine infrastructure includes: waste rock storage facilities, temporary stockpiles, riverine tailings management system, power and electrical systems, water usage systems, various on-site warehouses and maintenance shops, and offices required for administration, engineering, maintenance and other related mine and processing operations.
Grasberg Block Cave Underground Mine
The Grasberg Block Cave ore body is the same ore body his ........
