Runoff, erosion and sediment control in the Peruvian high Andes : the Antamina copper and zinc mining project

One of the few mining mega-projects in the world today, the construction phase of the Antamina copper-zinc project was recently completed. The open pit mine and flotation concentrator produce copper, zinc and molybdenum ore concentrates from a remote site in the Peruvian Andes, some 200 km inland from the Pacific Ocean and at an elevation of 4,200 metres above sea level. The copper and zinc concentrates are delivered via a 302 km slurry pipeline to the Huarmey port site for shipment to customers worldwide. To provide access to the mine site, a 120 km road was constructed through the rugged terrain of the high Andes. This paper presents an overview of the Antamina project with emphasis given to the control of runoff, erosion and sedimentation. A case study of particular significance will be presented that describes the successful control of severe sedimentation associated with the instability of road cut and fill slopes that was affecting a pristine alpine lake and trout fishery.Non UBCUnreviewedOthe