LEADERSHIP
40 leading to a 20 % increase in throughput and 85 % water recovery - a key issue in Peru given the concerns around water scarcity ,” says McCulley .
“ By allowing water to release from the much coarser particles , CPR will reduce the risks associated with wet tailings and ultimately help eliminate them altogether . When combined with low cost additives , it is possible to dewater residual waste and produce dry stackable tailings . This technology remains a focus area for us as water sent to tailings facilities often represents the largest water loss at a mine .”
Quellaveco is going to be the first mine to run the FutureSmart operating model from day one . Anglo ’ s idea is to build a stable base on which it can layer new technologies , CPR being one of them . “ We will also be a fully digital mine , which brings us future benefits in terms of understanding and applying changes in real time ,” adds McCulley . “ Our trucks and our drills will be automation-ready . We have taken the approach that , when we decide to move into an autonomous operation , no jobs will be lost , but the nature of some people ’ s jobs will have to change .”
FEBRUARY 2020