A case study on the performance analysis of loading, hauling, and unloading operations in a chilean open pit copper mine through process mining

Abstract

Efficient loading, hauling, and unloading are critical to surface mining productivity and cost control. This case study applies process discovery techniques from process mining to perform a data-driven process performance analysis of transport cycles at a major copper-molybdenum open-pit mine in Chile. The analysis revealed the effects of operational contingencies within and between cycles, particularly on loading and unloading queues and cycle time adherence, and enabled comparison of different unloading locations and shift periods. The results demonstrate the potential of process mining for the mining industry, where its use remains limited, supporting both academic research and operational decision-making.