209 From an operational perspective, this indicates that maintenance improvements alone will not generate productivity gains unless the operational environment supports continuous drilling activity. In particular, the mine must ensure that faces are prepared, operators are available, and critical services such as energy, water, ventilation, and transportation are continuously provided. Therefore, operational elasticity is a useful indicator for evaluating whether equipment availability improvements are being effectively translated into productive performance. 9. CONCLUSIONS Operational elasticity analysis provides a quantitative method to evaluate the relationship between mechanical availability and utilization, allowing identification of operational bottlenecks that limit equipment productivity. The results show negative operational elasticity in both day and night shifts, confirming that increased mechanical availability does not necessarily lead to increased utilization. The delay analysis demonstrated that lack of face/workplace, lack of energy, lack of transportation mobility, lack of water/pressure, and lack of operator account for more than 80% of unproductive time. Productivity measured in meters per hour (m/h) varies by shift, and night shift performance tends to be lower, suggesting that operational and human factors influence drilling efficiency. This study demonstrates that improving drilling productivity requires integrated management strategies addressing both mechanical reliability and operational constraints 10. RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended to conduct a detailed operational study focused on night shift performance, considering fatigue, supervision levels, and operational restrictions, in order to identify specific actions to improve utilization and productivity. A comparison between planned drilling schedules and actual execution should be performed to quantify deviations caused by operational constraints and improve planning reliability. Future studies should integrate qualitative variables such as operator experience, geomechanical conditions, and coordination between mine planning and operations, to strengthen predictive models of utilization. Additionally, operational improvements should prioritize ensuring face readiness, stable energy and water supply, and adequate operator availability, as these factors represent the main causes of productivity losses. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors acknowledge the support received during the development of this study and the contributions of the personnel involved in data collection and operational monitoring. REFERENCES Apaza, E. (2017). Reduction of unproductive times to increase the utilization of loading and hauling equipment through continuous productivity improvement at the Chalarina pit, Minera Shahuindo S.A.C. National University of Trujillo, School of Mining Engineering, La Libertad, Peru.
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