A stopwatch time study for an underground mining extraction

Abstract

This study seeks to increase the understanding of stopwatch time studies by determining standard cycle times for an underground mining extraction process, implementing the technique in a polymetallic mining deposit of intermediate to low sulphidation of silver, gold, lead, zinc, and copper, contained in silver-bearing galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and tetrahedrite; located in veins, at a height of 4630 m above sea level. The meticulous methodology of the technique identified and corrected an error in production cycle times, recognizing irregular elements that had been ignored in previous measurements, as well as strange elements produced during drilling activities, which set pace to the entire process. Finally, an improved and adapted technique was developed for this sector, through which process cycles could be determined at a 7.3% error, an acceptable value due to access limitations to the extraction areas by the strict security measures and reduced bias in planning production projections.

Keywords

• Time study
• Standard cycle time
• Underground mine
• Effective speed of working
• Allowances time