Ore Pass and Chute Maintenance at Xstrata Copper -Mount Isa Copper Operations

摘要

This paper discusses the considerations for optimum maintenance ofrncritical ore handling infrastructure in order to minimise the cost to thernbusiness of maintenance periods.As maintenance periods are a directrninterruption to production,time is of the essence and careful managementrnof shutdown periods is essential.rnThe ore pass systems currently in use at Xstrata Copper –Mount IsarnCopper Operations are up to 30 years old and have had significant wearrnver the years.The maintenance of these passes and their brows andrnchutes in a production situation is a challenge as it can potentially exposernpersonnel to high risk situations in addition to the productionrninterruptions.rnSome alternatives for mitigating the risk of working in ore passesrnincluding plugging and ballooning are described.Criteria are included forrnselecting a method for the safe entry into a given ore pass.Experience in adapting the method of ore pass plugs and some lessons learnt in thernprocess are also discussed.