Análisis técnico del uso del material de relave en un sistema de relleno hidráulico para el método de explotación por corte y relleno ascendente, en la mina Pique de la empresa “Oroconcent S.A.” del cantón Portovelo, provincia de el Oro

Abstract

With the aim to analyze a new backfilling system to reduce the instability from the mine face, as well as to increase the productivity and men-hour efficiency in El Pique Mine, where the operating method is applied as per ascending Cut and Fill by OROCONCENT S.A. mining company. This tesis has been developed according to a technical study about tailings material, used in the form as pulp and added to an equitable measure of water obtaining a mixture, which will be tested to be applied in the hydraulic backfill. The technical analysis of the project will evaluate the appropriate granulometry of the tailings material to be effective and resemble the ideal particle distribution curve, which affects the transport, decantation, filtration, sedimentation and compaction of the pulp. Then, it has to be added a proportion of both fine and coarse material, analyzing the results of tailings screening and comparing to Talbot curve. A geomechanical characterization of the rock mass was carried out to demonstrate the existence of discontinuities and external pressures, which create unstable conditions in the mine face, increasing the percentage of danger before, during and after carrying out the extraction process. That is the main reason accepted as reliable option according to the hydraulic backfill to be applied as support, leveling and closure of mining areas. The chemical analysis determines the percentage of mineral elements and christalline phases belonging to the vein and encasing rock that is processed in the concentration plant, evaluating in a semi-quantitative and semi-qualitative way those particles, which will be prone to the addition of other substances such as lime that allow the drying and consolidation of the pulp.