Por: Sandra Linero, SRK Consulting (Australia); Antony Aguedo, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, y Miguel García, Anglo American Quellaveco. 

Abstract

Early characterization of the shear strength of the waste materials expected during the operation of the Quellaveco Mine was carried out. This characterization was necessary for the execution of the stability analyses and the adjustment of the mine waste dump designs. The long-term planning information made it possible to identify the expected volumes of material by lithology, and with this, the predominant or critical lithologies of the waste to be deposited in the dumps. 

Geotechnical information from pit studies was used to characterize the quality of the waste rock. Key geotechnical parameters for characterization were compiled in a centralized database, sorted by lithology and statistically analyzed. A nonlinear strength model was considered, which determined the geotechnical parameters to be evaluated for shear strength estimation. 

A probabilistic approach was adopted to simulate the variability of input parameters in the strength model, and friction angle values were determined as a function of normal pressure, representing 50% (base case) and 75% reliability (design case). The evaluation made it possible to visualize research needs for subsequent stages of the project.