Lean mining

Adaptation and implementation of Lean methodology in copper mines, co-financed by Polish National Centre for Research and Development , 2011-2013

The project was focused on the problem of adaptation lean methodology to mining industry. The study on lean mining was conducted for the first time in Poland. The project was realized in the consortium of industry and university which assured its scientific nature. The project at first was focused on the adapting of Value Stream Method and implementation of the kaizen approach in a copper mine. Next, the Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) approach was implemented – the research began from an attempt to standardize names of failure and repairs of underground machinery and was followed by an analysis of the incidence of failures, thus the pilot area was selected. On this basis, further activities were carried out aiming in developing the standard of conduct one of the frequently occurring repairs of haulage vehicles (HV) including the preparation methods of carrying out such a standardization, so that it will be possible to develop other standards repairs. Also a standard of HV’s OC (daily control)  was developed using the MTM method. An adaptation of the concept of special warehouse for HV’s mechanics was made in accordance with the principles of TPM and 5S. Additionally the description of conducted training for underground workers in the field of TPM and 5S method was provided. The selected mining processes were mapped according to BPMN notation.