As with all continuous process industries, a mineral processing plant demands constant attention and maintenance. New engineering projects are needed every day. To keep production at optimum levels, operations are constantly analysed and developed.

Changes must be made quickly and efficiently, with minimal disruption to production. Data generated during design must therefore be maintained to the highest standards and correspond directly with the as-built condition of the facility.

AVEVA has a long association with the mining industry. Its solutions have been proved on some of the world's largest projects, such as the concentrator upgrade at the open pit copper mine in Codelco's Chuquicamata mine, where JRI Ingenieria used AVEVA products on a USD90 million project to increase output from 160 to 182 kilotonnes per day. Developed in two phases, the project involved major plant modifications.

AVEVA products were used extensively during the design phase of the project. To avoid unnecessary work during construction, equipment installation and maintenance were simulated using 3D models of the plant.