lb per tonne (1 t = 2,205 lb), since copper is commercially traded in USD per pound. Given that current gaps can reach on the order of 0.01% to 0.02% CuT, the potential economic impact associated with their reduction is considerable (Figure 2). Figure 2 –Comparison between grades reported by the Production Management Superintendence and those from the metallurgical balance, and their impact on mine–plant reconciliation. In this context, the implementation of LIBS technology represents a concrete opportunity to capture value through improved estimation and control of feed grades, reducing losses associated with uncertainty in the information. 5. CONCLUSIONS The implementation of an online grade analyzer based on LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) technology on the Overland conveyor at Chuquicamata Underground represents an innovative solution aimed at improving the representativeness and timeliness of grade information within the production process. This technology enables the transition from a discrete sampling approach to continuous, real-time measurement, with the potential to reduce the gap between minereported grades and those reconciled at the plant, thereby strengthening the reliability of metallurgical balances. Furthermore, the availability of real-time information supports more timely and data-driven decision-making, contributing to the optimization of critical operational variables and improved metallurgical stability. From an economic perspective, even small improvements in grade estimation accuracy can translate into significant impacts, given the scale of the operation and the sensitivity of the process to variations in copper grade. It is important to note that the project is currently in the permitting and initial calibration stage, using representative ore samples to ensure system reliability under actual operating conditions. The system installation is planned for later this year, which will allow field validation of the expected benefits and support the consolidation of this technology as a key tool for improving mine–plant reconciliation and real-time metallurgical management.
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