866 ensure the reliability of elemental grade reporting. Currently, this is addressed through systematic sampling plans at extraction points, which are defined based on planned tonnage extraction and the advance relative to the economic height of each point. These plans allow capturing ore variability and improving data representativeness in the short term. However, despite the application of standardized procedures, a significant gap persists between the grades reported by Chuquicamata Underground and those reconciled in the plant metallurgical balance. Based on the analysis of historical operational data, systematic differences are observed between mine-reported grades and those determined by the plant metallurgical balance, with average deviations on the order of 0.01% to 0.02% CuT, reaching higher values in specific periods. In addition to their magnitude, these discrepancies show temporal variability, highlighting limitations in sampling representativeness and in capturing the real dynamics of the transported ore. These discrepancies are mainly explained by time delays between extraction, sampling, and laboratory results—whose turnaround time can reach up to four days from sample collection—along with spatial representativeness limitations of discrete sampling and blending of different ore sources along the value chain. As a result, the operation lacks real-time visibility of the elemental composition of the ore (Cu, Mo, Fe, As), limiting the ability to perform timely process adjustments such as reagent dosing, pH control, and flotation strategies. This directly impacts metallurgical recovery and, consequently, copper production. In this context, accurate estimation and reporting of feed grades become critical for operational control, metallurgical performance, and economic valuation of the process. Therefore, it is necessary to implement a solution that enables continuous, representative, and real-time measurement of grades, reducing uncertainty and supporting more timely, data-driven decision-making. 2. OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE 2.1 General Objective The objective of this work is to evaluate the implementation of an online grade analyzer based on LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) technology on the Overland conveyor, as a tool to improve mine–plant grade reconciliation. 2.2 Specific Objectives The specific objectives of this study are to quantify the reduction of the gap between mine-reported grades and those reconciled in the plant, evaluate the impact of online measurement on real-time operational decision-making, estimate the economic benefit associated with improved grade accuracy, and assess the feasibility of operational integration and scalability of the technology within an industrial environment. 2.3 Scope The scope of this work includes the online measurement of key elements such as Cu, Mo, Fe, and As, together with the integration of the LIBS-based system into existing operational and metallurgical control platforms. This enables its incorporation into real-time monitoring systems and supports its use as an operational variable. In addition, the system performance is evaluated under real industrial operating conditions, with the objective of providing a more accurate and continuous representation of the grades delivered to the concentrator plant in the short term. This approach aims to support process optimization, improve metallurgical stability, and contribute to reducing mine–plant reconciliation gaps through the use of timely and reliable data.
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