The Peñasquito Mine is the sixth largest silver mine in the world and the largest gold mine in Mexico based on 2016 production numbers. It is a cornerstone asset for its owner Goldcorp. Although considered to be a world class mining asset, Peñasquito was underperforming operationally and in 2017 under new leadership a series of ambitious initiatives were undertaken. One of these key initiatives started in 2017 was the OSIsoft PI Enterprise Agreement, sponsored by Goldcorp’s Corporate Technology group.
Of the several initiatives undertaken, the most impactful one was aimed to enhance Metal Recovery. A Dynamic Simulator was created, calculated through PI Performance Equations and displayed through PI Coresight, that provided “closed-loop” feedback to the operator on where they should be in terms of Metal Recovery.
The results after only 6 months of implementation have surpassed expectations and provided revolutionary changes on how the Flotation circuit is now operated.
Speaker
Derek Shuen
Derek Shuen has a Bachelors degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Victoria, is a registered Functional Safety Engineer with TÜV Rheinland and a professional engineer registered with APEGBC. Derek has been involved at various stages on a few of world's most productive gold and copper projects to come into operation over the last 15 years.
His current position is Superintendent of Electrical, Instrumentation, Process Control and Energy Management at Minera Peñasquito, where he is responsible for the safe operation, maintenance and the continuous improvements of the Electrical Distribution System, the process control system and all associated subsystems.
Derek joined Goldcorp Peñasquito in August of 2016 after having spent the previous eight years in the design, construction, commissioning, operation and optimization of the Pueblo Viejo Gold mine in the Dominican Republic, a 60/40 Joint Venture between Barrick and Goldcorp.