Switzerland
Switzerland

Codelco El Teniente Copper Mine

Sewell, Rancagua, Chile
2016
Customer
Codelco - the National Copper Corporation of Chile / El Teniente mine
Other participating companies
Salfa Montajes (Salfacorp S.A.) / Züblin International GmbH Chile SpA
Protected object
Mine / Quarry
Corrosion protection
GEOBRUGG SUPERCOATING
Bolt length
4 m
Bolt pattern a
1 m / 1 m
Initial situation

El Teniente in Chile is the world largest underground copper mine.  Due to specific rock conditions, the risk of rock bursts is very high.  Since security standards at Codelco are amongst the highest worldwide, margins for failure from rock bursts are very low.  In the past, several rock bursts have affected personnel and operations.

Description

To protect people and equipment at El Teniente, a combination of shotcrete with MINAX® 65/4 and/or MINAX® 80/4 was used.  This solution was successfully tested at Geobrugg's dynamic test center in Walenstadt, Switzerland.  Results were above satisfactory.

In addtion to the MINAX® mesh, installation was completely mechanized with Geobrugg's handler called, MESHA®.  MESHA® increases safety and the efficiency of the ground.

Your local contact

Roger Moor
Roger Moor
Country Manager Ost- und Zentralschweiz, Liechtenstein
Natural Hazards, Coastal Erosion Protection, Mining / Tunnels
Geobrugg AG
Aachstrasse 11
8590 Romanshorn / Switzerland
René Müller
René Müller
Country Manager Kantone AG BE BL BS FR GE JU NE SO VD VS
Natural Hazards, Mining / Tunnels
Geobrugg AG
Industriestrasse 21
5200 Brugg / Switzerland
Isacco Toffoletto
Isacco Toffoletto
Ticino Country Manager
Natural Hazards, Mining / Tunnels
Geobrugg AG Ticino
Stabile Cometal, via Pizzante 7
6595 Riazzino / Switzerland