This essays deals with the opportunity and danger of the El Teniente Copper Mine. At the beginning it focues on the geology of the desposits and the genesis of the El Teniente ore bodies. Afterwards it continues with the history of the mine and the infrastructure. The next point is panel caving and its process and modeling. Accordingly it goes on with the advantages and disadvantages of panel caving and the rock mass damage of the Esmeralda level. The term paper ends with a conclusion.
It contains large amounts of chalcopyrite of various grades. As the upper ore bodies have been extracted in the past, mining focuses on large, deep, and low-grade ore bodies. The only mining method capable of extracting these rock masses with high production rates and low production costs is block caving and its variation panel caving. Therefore Codelco started the largest mining operation in the world. The New Mine Level Project covers the entire footprint of the ore deposit, divided in 5 panels (Sur, Andes Sur, Andes Norte, Norte, and Pacifico) and will start to produce in 2017. The mine is located in midle to late Miocene extrusive and intrusive igneous rocks, which are part of the Farellones Formation.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Abstract
- Geology of the Deposits
- Genesis of the El Teniente Ore Bodies
- The Mine's History
- Existing Mining Infrastructure
- El Teniente goes deep
- Panel caving
- Process of panel caving
- Block caving modeling
- Advantages and disadvantages of panel caving
- Rock Mass Damage of Esmeralda Level
- Conclusion
- References
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text aims to provide a detailed overview of the El Teniente copper mine, focusing on its geological characteristics, ore body genesis, and the implementation of panel caving as a mining method. The text explores the challenges and advantages of large-scale, deep mining operations.
- Geology of the El Teniente copper deposit
- Formation and genesis of the ore bodies
- Panel caving as a mining technique
- Challenges of deep mining
- The history and evolution of mining operations at El Teniente
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Geology of the Deposits: The chapter details the geological context of the El Teniente copper deposit, highlighting its location within the "Dorsal Mioliminar" structural belt and its association with Miocene extrusive and intrusive igneous rocks of the Farellones Formation. It describes the deposit's vast size and high copper and molybdenum content, emphasizing the significance of mafic intrusive rocks and the presence of mineralized and barren magmatic-hydrothermal breccias, particularly the Braden Pipe. The text explains how the diverse magmatic-hydrothermal breccias reflect a complex sequence of events leading to the formation of high-grade copper ore. The discussion of the magma chamber's size (exceeding 600 km³) underlines the scale of geological processes involved in creating this massive deposit. The analysis links the location and formation to the larger context of Chilean porphyry copper deposits, emphasizing its importance within global copper production.
Genesis of the El Teniente Ore Bodies: This chapter explores the formation of the El Teniente ore bodies, tracing their origin to a large open-system magma chamber fed by mantle-derived mafic magmas. It details the multi-stage development of alteration and mineralization, highlighting the roles of magmatic fluids and the emplacement of various breccia complexes, including the high-grade copper-bearing Sewell Tonalite. The chapter emphasizes the prolonged period (over 2 million years) of ore body formation, marked by multiple episodes of breccia emplacement and alteration. It connects the cooling of the magma chamber and the eventual shift in volcanic activity to the final stages of the ore-forming processes, providing a chronological and causal understanding of the deposit's development. The discussion emphasizes the importance of mantle-derived magma replenishment and the exsolution of sulfur and metal-rich fluids in creating this significant copper deposit.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
El Teniente copper mine, porphyry copper deposit, panel caving, deep mining, geology, ore genesis, magmatic-hydrothermal breccias, mafic intrusive rocks, Chilean Andes, mining operations, geological processes, mineralization, alteration.
El Teniente Copper Mine: A Comprehensive Overview - FAQ
What is the main focus of this text?
This text provides a detailed overview of the El Teniente copper mine in Chile. It focuses on the mine's geological characteristics, the genesis of its ore bodies, and the implementation of panel caving as a mining method. The text also explores the challenges and advantages of large-scale, deep mining operations and includes a historical perspective.
What topics are covered in the Table of Contents?
The table of contents includes sections on the abstract, geology of the deposits, genesis of the ore bodies, the mine's history, existing mining infrastructure, the specifics of deep mining at El Teniente, panel caving (including its process, modeling, and advantages/disadvantages), rock mass damage at the Esmeralda level, a conclusion, and references.
What are the key objectives and themes explored?
The key objectives are to provide a comprehensive understanding of the El Teniente copper deposit's geology, ore body formation, and the use of panel caving. Key themes include the geology of the El Teniente copper deposit, the formation and genesis of its ore bodies, panel caving as a mining technique, the challenges of deep mining, and the history and evolution of mining operations at El Teniente.
What does the chapter on "Geology of the Deposits" cover?
This chapter details the geological setting of the El Teniente deposit, its location within the "Dorsal Mioliminar" structural belt, its association with Miocene igneous rocks, its vast size and high copper/molybdenum content, the significance of mafic intrusive rocks and mineralized breccias (like the Braden Pipe), and the complex sequence of events leading to high-grade ore formation. It also discusses the immense size of the magma chamber and relates the deposit to the broader context of Chilean and global porphyry copper deposits.
What does the chapter on "Genesis of the El Teniente Ore Bodies" discuss?
This chapter explores the formation of the ore bodies, tracing their origin to a large magma chamber fed by mantle-derived magmas. It details the multi-stage alteration and mineralization, the roles of magmatic fluids, the emplacement of breccia complexes (including the Sewell Tonalite), the prolonged (over 2 million years) ore formation period, and the connection between magma chamber cooling, volcanic activity shifts, and the final stages of ore formation. It emphasizes mantle magma replenishment and the exsolution of sulfur and metal-rich fluids.
What mining method is discussed in detail?
The text extensively discusses panel caving as the primary mining method used at El Teniente. It covers the process of panel caving, block caving modeling, and the advantages and disadvantages of this technique in the context of deep mining operations.
What are some key challenges mentioned in relation to El Teniente?
The text highlights the challenges associated with large-scale, deep mining operations, particularly the issues related to rock mass damage at the Esmeralda level and the complexities inherent in extracting ore from such significant depths. The text also implicitly discusses the logistical and engineering challenges of operating a mine of this scale and age.
What are the key words associated with this text?
Key words include: El Teniente copper mine, porphyry copper deposit, panel caving, deep mining, geology, ore genesis, magmatic-hydrothermal breccias, mafic intrusive rocks, Chilean Andes, mining operations, geological processes, mineralization, and alteration.
- Quote paper
- Adam Valenzano (Author), 2017, The opportunity and danger of panel caving in the El Teniente copper mine, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/371924