In today’s mining industry, getting the most from a mining operation’s performance to reduce costs and increase production must go beyond individual processes; a broader view of the entire value stream is needed.
However, what is the best way to go about it?Dyno Nobel’s Drill to Mill™ initiatives take optimisation beyond explosives and blasting, combining expert insight with its range of products to provide real solutions throughout the mining process.In a recent project, Dyno Nobel implemented a Drill to Mill initiative that helped a large metals mine gain US$58.1 million in added value over a single year and optimise their operation for years to come.Background: Identifying value-driving opportunitiesA surface metal mine identified an opportunity to improve mill throughput for their hard ore as a significant value driver. Several rock types posed a challenge to mill throughput, due to their hardness and grindability characteristics. The mine plan showed that the tonnes of the rock types classified as hard ore would increase significantly throughout the next several years, so the mine engaged Dyno Nobel to execute a Drill to Mill initiative with a focus on increasing the fines percentage (particularly the -0.5 in. size fraction) going to the SAG mill circuit by 10%, through improved and optimised blasting practices.Mill modelling showed that even the slightest improvement in the -0.5 in. size fraction reporting to the mills would significantly improve overall mill throughput, thereby adding value to the operation in pounds of copper produced. Dyno Nobel’s ‘Beyond the Bench’ approach views the entire mining process from drill to mill as a value stream, with small changes in drilling and blasting contributing to large value-adds by the time the blasted material reaches and is run through the processing circuit. In a partnership with the customer, Dyno Nobel deployed its people, processes, and technology and executed a Drill to Mill initiative. This yielded significant value to the operation over the past year, with continued value added for several years to come.Enjoyed what you’ve read so far? Read the full article and the rest of the January/February Issue of Global Mining Review by registering today for free!
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