Por: Eddy Valencia, Miguel García y Edgar Contreras, Anglo American.

Abstract

Anglo American Quellaveco has implemented a geotechnical control center with continuous 24/7 monitoring, incorporating technology based on real and synthetic aperture interferometry, which provides full coverage of all exposed slopes in the pit and allows for the identification of precursor movements and their evolution during extraction work.

With the incorporation of this system and best monitoring practices, such as discriminating errors in readings, identifying atmospheric anomalies, and choosing appropriate calculation periods, quality data is obtained that represents trend behavior, deformation magnitudes, and velocity, allowing for the collection of quality data for the application of accurate failure forecasts (95% precision and accuracy), which made it possible to manage the instability of the north wall of phase 1, which compromised seven 15-meter-high benches whose movement was identified from the mining of the second exposed bench. With monitoring and fieldwork, it was possible to circumscribe the influence of the movement, identify the failure mechanism, and determine the ductile behavior of the slope and its response to mining.

Based on the failure forecast, operational controls (mining and blasting) and design changes with little impact on fines recovery were established. This allowed operations to continue based on monitoring, controlled risks, and establishing adequate response times within the protocol for geotechnical alerts, evacuating people and equipment in a timely manner, and achieving zero damage.