How Can Planning and Construction Be Optimized
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How Can Planning and Construction Be Optimized

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Wed, 10/18/2017 - 12:53

Planning and construction is one of the most important parts of a mine’s lifecycle. A well-planned project ensures healthy relationships with authorities and the surrounding community as well as facilitates the operational process and production. As many companies are barely starting to bounce back from the price slump of 2012, operators are on the hunt for the best solutions in the market that can both optimize production levels and reduce costs. Mexico Mining Review asked leading technology providers, solution providers and operators about the strategies they are using to optimize and innovate the planning and construction of a mine and the challenges behind this phase.

Fred Stanford

Fred Stanford

President and CEO
Torex Gold

There is an endless series of bottlenecks that need to be negotiated when moving a project from the development phase into construction and production. To reach commercial production at El Limon-Guajes, we first needed to ensure that the grinding circuit was functioning efficiently, which we managed without too much difficulty. Then we needed to test the leach circuit and figure out how to deal with the large quantity of copper in the deposit. We are now working on the final major obstacle, which is the tailings filtration circuit. We have installed the biggest tailings filtration circuit in the world at the plant and the system not only enables us to recycle all the water we use but also eliminates the risk of any tailings spilling into the Balsas River and increases the efficiency of our land usage. But it is a complex mechanism so we have been working through a number of details to ensure that the operation works to its full capacity.

Alicia Barnetche

Alicia Barnetche

President
Kepler

Due to the complexity and extent of mining projects, the construction alone may take several years to complete. One of the challenges in these industries is working in remote areas, often in extreme climates, where everything has to be provided, from electricity, water and communications systems to human resources and procurement. We negotiate with and support surrounding communities and help operators negotiate with them. We may be on site for a few years but our clients will remain there for much longer. One of our main added values as a Mexican construction company lies in the wide spectrum of services we offer. From the very start of a project, we provide civil works, mechanical, construction and electrical services, as well as the most highly-qualified labor and oversight. The fact that national and international clients return for repeat projects is proof of a job well done.

 José Antonio Berlanga

José Antonio Berlanga

CEO
Telson Resources

Financing is a significant challenge for mining companies. Despite having a solid project, it is difficult to attract investment to the country. Locally, it is extremely difficult to get a bank to offer financing for exploration or development of a mining project. We had the opportunity to obtain a significant line of credit from our investors, which has been guaranteed by our assets and will allow us to continue with the development of Tahuehueto and bring it into production in 2017. The first resources from this credit line were used to carry out a prefeasibility study (PFS). We were also able to carry out an industrial test on 3,500 tons of mineral. With the results of this test and the PFS, we will be in a position to approve the construction of Tahuehueto and to obtain additional resources to take it into production in 2017.

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