In the Gabriela Mistral Division’s leach pile stacking and removal system, interference occurs between the stacker bridge and the bucket wheel reclaimer’s bridge. When the bucket wheel reclaimer transitions from pile 1 to pile 2, both structures advance in opposite directions, creating a period where their movements are restricted. This interference necessitates temporarily halting the extraction system to allow the stacker to proceed.

Approximately three times per year during the the bucket wheel reclaimer’s transition from pile 1 to pile 2, when it moves in the opposite direction to the stacker.

This interference results in roughly 60 hours of downtime for the removal system, reducing the duty cycle and affecting the spacing between the bridges.

One of the systems is temporarily retracted to allow the other to pass.

Identify solutions—technological or otherwise— that eliminate or mitigate the interference between the stacker bridge and the bucket wheel reclaimer’s bridge when they move in opposite directions. Under the current design, this interference forces the removal system to be temporarily halted and retracted to allow the other system to pass.

1. The solution must eliminate or reduce delays caused by interference.

2. There is no restriction on Technology Readiness Level (TRL); all ideas will be evaluated on their merits. Clarity is essential for optimal understanding—whether demonstrated through models, diagrams, or other illustrative means.