Diseño de malla de perforación y voladura para el control de dilución en el subnivel de producción “Los Gemelos”, en la explotación minera subterránea de la mina “Pique”, compañía OROCONCENT S.A., Portovelo Ecuador.

Abstract

The objective of this work was to design a drilling and blasting mesh that reconciles the operational dilution with the planned dilution in the "Gemelos" sublevel, in the "El Pique" underground mine, Portovelo canton, El Oro province. A mineral sampling was carried out of the Chip Sample type at a scale of 1:200, analyzing the samples by means of the fire test, obtaining ore grade values that allow estimating the grade of the "Centenario" vein, together the time control was carried out for the unitary operations within of the work, examining the economic performance of the operation. Subsequently, the current condition of planned and operational dilution was examined, within the exploitation of the "Gemelos" Sublevel. Finally, through the application of techniques for geomechanical classification, the conditions of the rock mass were estimated, which served as the basis for the application of Roger Holmberg's methodology in the design of the drilling and blasting mesh. By means of the Pareto diagram, the unit operations were examined, showing that to increase the performance of the operation it is necessary to optimize the selectivity of the mining, reducing the sterile material to be transported. A mineral grade of the "Centenario" vein was obtained: 3.75 grams/Ton, the operative dilution was estimated at 63.3% with a mining grade of 1.38 grams/Ton for a mining width of 1.3 meters. Finally, two drilling and blasting meshes were designed (one of the normal type and the other using precut), when analyzing their effects it is evident that the mesh that uses the precut method provides better results, obtaining a mining width of 1.2 meters, reducing the dilution to 60% and raising the mining grade to 1.5 grams/Ton. To improve the results, it is recommended to apply the circumference and pre-cut method.