Autazes mine

The aim of the project was to carry out a trade-off study to select the optimum method for sinking two shafts in Brazil. The focus was on the comparison between the conventional sinking method and mechanical sinking using a Shaft Boring Roadheader (SBR). The results of the study show that mechanical sinking with the Herrenknecht SBR offers significant advantages in terms of schedule, cost structure and project risks. At the same time, it is concluded that the conventional drill & blast method is still an economically viable alternative.