For the extraction of a mineral resource to occur effectively, a set of actions related to mine infrastructure is essential to support mining operations.

Activities such as vegetation suppression, construction and maintenance of ramps and accesses, and the execution of drainage plans are essential to achieve better mining conditions. These activities bring with them a number of challenges, and for them to occur satisfactorily they need to be properly designed, supervised, and maintained.

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THE MINE INFRASTRUCTURE:

Mine infrastructure corresponds to a set of activities that support mining operations. Thus, according to the selected mining method, these additional activities are studied, planned and carried out. An important point in the mine infrastructure is due to its direct interference in the production rhythm, so that any problem caused in any of its activities can cause the stoppage of mining operations.

It is also important to note that the mine’s infrastructure activities correspond to planning and may be performed before mining operations or as mining progresses. For this reason, they must be created, supervised and maintained, and be carried out according to the needs of the project.

THE IMPORTANCE OF MINE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE SMOOTH RUNNING OF MINING OPERATIONS:

The mine infrastructure is of great importance for the mine operation, as it involves all the support parameters essential for the extraction of mineral resources. The absence or incorrect sizing of these tools impairs the unit mining operations and, consequently, the production rate.

In addition, the absence of infrastructure mechanisms can cause problems not only in the mining fronts, but also in other stages involved in a mining enterprise, such as mineral processing, which depends on the volume extracted for a better use.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN CHALLENGES FOUND IN MINE INFRASTRUCTURE?

The main challenges of mine infrastructure are configured due to the adverse conditions to which the mineral activity is exposed, listed below are some situations that are considered to be challenges for mine infrastructure:

• Sites with extremely decomposed and moist soils;
• Accesses and squares with drainage deficiency;
• Extremely uneven flooring;
• Problems in the floor support;
• Accesses with problems in design and construction of the curves;
• Falling material;
• Narrow roads, poor drainage, slippery surfaces, and the presence of mud;
• Problems in the coating layers of the driveways.

HOW TO SOLVE THESE INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS?

It is very important to be aware of the problems in order to solve them as soon as possible because each infrastructure problem solved is one less production loss. This is possible by means of a basic cycle for identifying and working out a solution to the infrastructure problems:

• First it is necessary to analyze all existing and potential problems, a thorough analysis not only of the visible situation, but of the potential that that problem could become;
• After that, make technical proposals, define the projects, and evaluate the materials available at the mine;
• Next, carry out the implementation of the projects and train the people involved in the process;
• Perform periodic evaluations to check if the project is adhering;
• Correct any deviations that may be found in the evaluations.

HOW CAN FAST2 MINE HELP IN SOLVING THE MAIN CHALLENGES OF MINE INFRASTRUCTURE?

Mining Control enables real-time monitoring of the main operational indicators that make up the mine operation, which makes it possible to locate possible infrastructure problems and act proactively. Listed below are some features that are useful in identifying infrastructure problems:

• Speed map that allows the quick identification and location of trouble spots on the transport routes by analyzing the speed reductions of the operators;
• Registration of operational stop codes caused by infrastructure problems;
• Continuous monitoring of average haul distances;
• Heat map that allows the recognition of the main routes taken by the equipment, route detours, and neglected temporary accesses, which are indicative of the existence of operational bottlenecks on ramps and accesses.

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