Processes and Technology

The material extracted from a mining site, is a mixture of components without value, but rich in minerals, which through different separation processes recover the valuable content. The mining sector makes use of high technology, which requires a strict design and action plan in order to achieve efficiency and profitability, without leaving aside the care of the environment.

Sustainable technologies are defined as the set of technical know-how that allow to create goods and services that are adapted to the care of the environment, through the reduction of emissions of pollutants, less use of water for production processes, energy saving, The use of increasingly safe practices for workers, among others.

Mining companies are faced with the challenge of continually improving their production processes and at the same time making their mines deposits sustainable over time. These new technologies, which adapt to demanding quality controls, can improve safety, working conditions, responsible water management, dust reduction, energy saving, noise reduction, etc.

Electronic blasting systems are an innovative technology that allows not only 1,000 times more precision and a significantly more flexible timing than traditional pyrotechnic detonators, but also a better energy control. Properly used, it enables significant gains through improved fragmentation, battery formation, vibration control, large blasting, improved conditions of walls or faces and reduce over-breaking, danger and grounding.

Large trucks, which can withstand loads up to 300 tons, are becoming more and more safe for operators, they facilitate their work, save fuel and collaborate with the productivity of the mine. Caterpillar, for example, includes in the new trucks safety systems in mechanized access ladders to reduce the risk of slips and falls, an integrated camera system that provides a panoramic view of its surroundings, and locking controls and service level Of soil that aim to create a safer environment for maintenance personnel.

Komatsu, for its part, developed cabs with protection for overturning and dropping of objects, and a monitoring system of vital signs of the equipment, allowing to transmit signals through various routes, including internet, and to schedule the sending of alerts to mobile devices.

Dust control is a major challenge for mining, since a large amount of fine particulate material compromises the health of operators, decreases equipment performance and affects the productivity of mining operations.

Dust suppressors work by modifying the physical properties of the surface, so that the particles and soil material are heavier and pollution is avoided by this way, improving air quality and road visibility. Two new products advance in dust control: Soiltac and Durasoil.

The first is a variable-use polymer, so powerful that it is even used in aircraft landings at airports, and lasts for 12 to 24 months depending on weather, initial ground conditions, type and intensity of traffic.

The second is a 100% ultra pure oil, which does not mix with water, and is primarily used for internal (underground) roads of mines. The duration of the product is of 9 to 16 months, depending on the climate, initial conditions of the ground, the type and the intensity of the traffic.

Biotechnology, dedicated to the use of living organisms or parts of them (subcellular structures, molecules) for the production of goods and services, provides benefits such as simplification of processes, improvements in product quality, reduced environmental impact and savings Costs In mining, biotechnology can also assist in bioremediation and fission of soils, mine water treatment, disposal and recovery of metals in waters, among other applications. On present day, 5% of Chile’s copper production is obtained through bioleaching.

The new methods of environmentally benign, low energy and very fast recovery of lithium, also a major technological innovation. The actual method was focused on the solar evaporation of the salt that allows to start the process to produce lithium carbonate and potassium chloride. He is developing a new technology that allows a fast process, consumes very little energy and does not consume water, and in the place of eight months of evaporation, in a few hours you can get large amounts of lithium and use solar energy.

First-world countries that are leaders in state-of-the-art technologies, innovation, development and research. In mining, countries establish agreements to promote scientific cooperation and exchange of experts from research entities and universities, with the aim of promoting the sustainable development of mining.

At CHOKMAH GOLD we are committed to the efficient and effective management of mining and we are constantly evolving and innovating to maintain mining production with the lowest possible environmental impact and comply fully with each of the international standards governing production and Mining.

Tail lagoons are an excellent alternative to wastewater treatment from the mineral recovery process, because it is a technology of low complexity and maintenance and simple operation. The degradation of the chemical reagent for the leaching method is carried out by sedimentation and through anaerobic biological processes that generate bottom sludge as a function of time.

Sludge accumulation is greater in primary lagoons and can affect their yield by decreasing the effective volume and shape change of the bottom, which alter the hydraulics of the reservoir. Therefore, the periodic removal of sludge is often unavoidable and the long-term sustainability of these systems will depend on its safe and effective management, and it is necessary to dredge it in the first stage of the life of the lagoon. The remarkable development of mining during the last fifteen years has given rise to new economic, social and environmental challenges. The tail dams are part of the mining process and in recent times, in the context of the debate generated by the development of the sector, are Frequently mentioned, but lack adequate information on them.

Characterization of Waste

The mining process generates waste known as tailings, tailings or tailings. If the residues are solid (in the form of “gravels”) they can accumulate as wastes. In the concentration of minerals, especially in metalliferous, the tails come from grinding the original rocks that contain them and mixing the particles that are formed with water and small amounts of chemical reagents that facilitate the release of the metals. Like all productive activity, mining generates waste. These can be classified into:

Those strictly derived from the extractive activity which, because they do not possess valuable contents in the minerals contained, have not undergone any concentration process.
Those from the concentration processes applied to extracted minerals.
Those from the human settlement. Residues from extractive activity that do not have minerals of economic interest accumulate in large piles and are called sterile or tailings deposits. In particular, they are called debris to the residues that come from the construction.

Environmental Management

Mineral recovery plants generate a series of impacts on the biophysical, social, cultural, economic and political system of a region. In this sense, the project has ecological technology that will help to substantially raise its level of environmental care, reducing pollution, waste and moderating energy consumption, as well as providing proven and realistic solutions, will help transform the surrounding communities into Cleaner and healthier locations. The advantages of the application of ecological processes will become increasingly evident, with the implementation of the following environmental solutions:

Applying modern technology and industrial safety equipment
By the execution of simple processes of operation and constant maintenance of machinery and equipment
Replacing reagents of common practices like Mercury, by others, that when combined with other substances dissipate the effect towards the environment and the human being
Establishing environmental quality management and control in the production process in order to conserve the ecological environment
Minimizing negative environmental effects and having a contingency plan