Transition of the Henderson Mine ventilation system to the new lower levels

摘要

The Climax Molybdenum Company's Henderson Mine, owned by Phelps Dodge Corporation, is a 27,200 tonne per day (30,000 ton per day) molybdenum mine located 69 km (43 miles) west of Denver, Colorado. Henderson maintains a relatively large and complex ventilation system that has undergone many changes through the years. This paper describes the history of the Henderson ventilation system and the challenges encountered in the transition to the new production level that is currently underway. Main fans were installed in underground exhaust drifts, main surface exhaust fans were optimized, and mine air heating systems have been upgraded. Completion of the Henderson 2000 project expanded the mine to levels below which the ventilation system was originally designed. The transition to the new lower production level has required full utilization of capacity and optimization of the system, as two production levels and numerous development areas must be supported simultaneously. Creative use of the 7655/35 ventilation level, installation of numerous ventilation raises, and continuous modifications and adjustments to the ventilation system have allowed Henderson to transition into the new production area.