Abstract
Commencing undercutting operations in September 2018, the Grasberg Block Cave (GBC) mine in Indonesia is an exemplary model of modern mechanized block cave mining. The block cave production capacity has rapidly increased to surpass an average of 133,000 tons per day (t/d) within a significantly brief timeframe. This paper articulates a thorough analysis of the challenges encountered in the initial mucking phase at the extraction level and the innovative strategies used to overcome them. The central focus of our discussion revolves around the optimization of the Load-Haul-Dump (LHD) operator productivity through a concerted emphasis on the personal development aspect under stringent supervision and operational discipline. Safety enhancements have also been prioritized through the strategic reduction of operator’s head-cabin interactions. Another key contributor to record-breaking extraction production performance is the innovative approach to addressing the secondary breakage sequence, with the aim of maximizing drawpoint availability. By conducting a thorough analysis, we have extracted valuable lessons and insights, focusing on methodologies that effectively reduce scheduling disruptions and address production bottlenecks. This study is positioned to serve as a valuable resource for professionals in the mining industry, providing strategies that are crucial for achieving optimal performance in block cave mining operations.