The Spence Growth Option (SGO) project aims to extend the operation of the Spence Mine to more than 50 years, increasing production by approximately 185 ktpa of copper and 4ktpa of molybdenum in the first 10 years of operation. Works include a new 30-metre-high primary crusher, where CAT 797B trucks weighing up to 625 tons will operate.
The client, BHP Billiton, contracted Tierre Armada Chile to build 17 Reinforced Earth® walls with TerraPlus® technology and GeoStrap 5® strips. The walls that are located below the discharge slabs are built with composite earth technology.
The TerraPlus® system extends over 3,835 m2 and is up to 30 m high.
