Gold mining at Poderosa is carried out in narrow underground sub-levels and ore is accumulated in chambers for extraction to the surface. Valuable gold ore is transported to the Santa Maria smelter where it is recovered with a cyanide leaching process or direct cyanidation.

To access and exploit the ore, significant waste rock is generated during this process. This waste rock is currently being stored on site or backfilled into underground chambers using hydraulic and mechanical technologies.

Waste rock trials have included being used for rail ripping and the construction of blocks.

Poderosa is seeking an innovative solution to generate sustainable value from their Granodiorite waste rock. Their target is to use at least 50% of waste material generated in the Santa María production unit.

The solution should consider:

• The business model must be sustainable.
• Poderosa is currently implementing a 100TN/hour crushing plant that will feed the Hydraulic Filling Plant. Approximately 700 TN/day of rock will be used.
• An ore sorting project linked to the crushing plant is also being developed.
• Solutions that can manage waste rock in the underground environment and prevent the need to transport waste to the surface are of significant interest.
• There are narrow spaces in the underground environment for machinery and resources.
• Limited energy must be used and water should be conserved.
• A functional proposal must be made within 12 months.

Poderosa is also interested in learning about solutions that can reduce the amount of waste rock generated in the mining process. However, this would be very complicated due to their unique operating conditions in their underground mine.

Please find additional information on the material type and physicochemical characteristics in the following attachments (in Spanish):

Sample: Depósito de Desmonte Estrella 3
Sample: Depósito de Desmonte Santa Maria 1

1. Submission Period
   Suppliers are invited to submit their short-form solution to the challenge by 10th February 2023 for evaluation by Austmine and Poderosa.
2. Evaluation Period
   Shortlisted suppliers will be invited to a technical briefing, where each supplier will be able to gain more information about the challenge from Poderosa. This will allow you to refine your proposed solution prior to the next stage.
3. Pitch Session
   This is the opportunity to ‘sell’ your solution and gain feedback from operational teams, presenting directly to the Poderosa team.
4. Full Proposal Submission
   Following the Pitch Session, shortlisted suppliers are invited to submit their formal technical and economic proposals.
5. Winner Announced
   Poderosa will select the best fit solution/s for the challenge. Unsuccessful submitters are notified in writing by Austmine.

Challenge Launch Webinar
2nd February 2023

EOI Submission Deadline
10th March 2023

Technical Briefings
20th March 2023

Pitch Sessions
27th March 2023

Final Proposal Deadline
21st April 2023

The Global Mining Challenge is coordinated by Austmine and supported by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources. The program provides new supply and export opportunities for opportunities for Australian METS companies and guides participants through a process of delivering solutions, technologies, and services to major international mining customers.