MINERÍA la mejor puerta de acceso al sector minero MINERÍA / ENERO 2024 / EDICIÓN 556 21 Abstract The development of R&D projects is fundamental to maximize the efficiency of mineral beneficiation. Therefore, Nexa Resources seeks to capture new variables, control and optimize mining-metallurgical processes through the implementation of analytical models, and thus generate virtual scenarios capable of anticipating future operational conditions. This article addresses the most critical points raised during the execution of R&D projects in the mining and metallurgical sector and begins by detailing the key steps to design an R&D portfolio that optimizes one or more operational KPIs and is able to guarantee (i) technical and financial viability, (ii) value generation in the short term and (iii) adequate risk management. In 2020, it was identified that the milling process of the Cerro Lindo mining unit presented high operational instability, which was caused by the changing nature of the ore processed and the lack of control of variables. It was estimated that the recovery of certain valuable mineral species would increase by up to 5% with more efficient milling. Based on this need, Nexa Resources designed a 4.0 Technology Roadmap, consisting of seven solutions. They propose an approach to optimize the four main operational KPIs related to the milling process: (i) increase in tonnage processed, (ii) optimization of specific energy, (iii) optimization of steel consumption and (vi) stability of the P80 size of the product. This Roadmap was designed using the Advanced Technology Roadmap Architecture (ATRA) methodology developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This consists of the application of 12 steps, seven of which were prioritized for the specific case of the Cerro Lindo mining unit. Finally, the article details the current status of the implementation of the Roadmap, which is 70% complete, as well as the lessons learned during the development of this Roadmap and the next steps to be taken after its implementation. Se estimó que, la recuperación de determinadas especies minerales valiosas incrementaría hasta en un 5%, al realizarse una molienda más eficiente. En base a esa necesidad, Nexa Resources diseñó un Roadmap de Tecnologías 4.0, conformado por siete soluciones. Estas proponen un enfoque para optimizar los cuatro principales KPI operacionales relacionados al proceso de molienda: (i) incremento de tonelaje procesado, (ii) optimización de la energía específica, (iii) optimización del consumo de aceros y (vi) estabilidad del tamaño P80 del producto. El diseño de este Roadmap se realizó mediante la metodología Advanced Technology Roadmap Architecture (ATRA), desarrollada por el Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), la cual consiste en la aplicación de 12 pasos, de los cuales siete fueron priorizados para el caso específico de la unidad minera Cerro Lindo. Finalmente, el artículo detalla el estado actual de la implementación de la hoja de ruta, el cual cuenta con un avance significativo del 70%, además incluye las lecciones aprendidas durante el desarrollo de este Roadmap y los próximos pasos a ejecutar posterior a su implementación. Introducción La unidad minera Cerro Lindo está considerada entre las 20 minas de zinc más grandes del mun-
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