In 2018, Hatch was engaged to develop a throughput forecast model alongside a mine-to-process (M2P) integration and optimisation project for a large open pit copper operation. The project focused on sustainably increasing plant throughput, while developing a robust forecasting tool to predict plant performance over the Life-of-Mine (LoM). To mitigate risks and ensure the highest operational profitability throughout the LoM, it is necessary to accurately predict future performance of processing and the interaction with mining practices. This presents many challenges due to the many contributing factors, including ore characteristics, operating strategies, mine planning, equipment parameters, and production targets.
Geometallurgy integrates the disciplines of geology, mining, and metallurgy, to develop proactive operating strategies as a function of ore types and characteristics. Geometallurgical modelling provides a link between the physical properties of the ore, and the performance of mining and processing operations, or extraction efficiency. Hatch experts integrate the ore characterisation, domain mapping, and site-specific models of each stage in the value chain (blasting, comminution, separation) with the mine plan in a geometallurgical model to provide a production forecast for the LoM. This facilitates strategic planning and optimisation considering the varying characteristics of different ore types to maximise the long-term profitability of the operation, and has been implemented at many other sites (Bennett et al, 2017).