Los Bronces Exploration Tunnelling: TBM vs. Drill and Blast
The comprehensive development of this project in Chile began in 2007, continued into 2012 and covered the conceptual to supervision stages of constructing an 8 km exploration tunnel with a 4.5 m excavation diameter with a tunnel boring machine (TBM).
This study included the conceptual and basic engineering for both drill and blast and use of a TBM. SRK also developed the bidding package, supported the contractor selection process, and provided technical inspection of works such as operational control of the excavation cycle with the TBM, geological-geotechnical control of the tunnel, and topographic, quality, and cost control.
